HISTORY OF SCOTTSVILLE RACECOURSE

Scottsville Racecourse is situated in Pietermaritzburg, the capital of KwaZulu-Natal, which lies 80kms north of Durban. The company that controls racing at Scottsville is Gold Circle.

The track is tight and has a circumference of 2300m, a run-in of 550m and a straight course of 1200m. It also has a separate starting chute for races run over 1800m. Scottsville is one of the more challenging tracks around the country with a steep climb for the horses approaching the final 500m. There is also an inside course for races around the bend. For races run over sprint distances there is a downhill section for the first 400m before hitting the incline towards the end, making it a true test for all horses. The ability for horses to race from off the pace is a major advantage at the track, but also if you are too far back, you will find yourself in trouble.

There is very little in terms of advantage with regard to the barrier draw at the track, although when there has been rain outside draws are favourable down the straight.

Scottsville is unique in being the only course in Africa with a casino on the premises. The Golden Horse Casino provides plenty of entertainment after the races and will accommodate you if you’ve had a little too much to drink. Rockafellas is a very smart restaurant looking over the finish that you can attend and enjoy a brilliant 3-course meal and enjoy the racing.

Scottsville has a knack of providing a big upset. The term “horses for courses” applies here, as there are specialists who run much better at Scottsville than anywhere else, while others completely fail to handle the undulating straight.

On the last Saturday in May the track stages its festival of speed, which is by far the biggest day at the track with the headliner being the Group 1 Golden Horse Casino Sprint. There are three other Group 1 races - the Allan Robertson Fillies Sprint for two-year-old fillies, the Gold Medallion for two-year-olds and the SA Fillies Sprint. All the races are run over 1200m.

Some of the famous horses to have run and won at Scottsville are Musir, Sledgehammer and the famous Model Man and more recently JJ The Jet Plane, who won the Golden Horse Casino sprint in 2008 and then, after a stint in Dubai and Britain, came back to South Africa to win it again in 2010.

Race Preview

Scottsville, 06.06.2018, Race 1, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R110.000, 6:15PM

Race Summary: Some promising juveniles. (2)JARDIN was always in control on winning poly debut, and if as good on turf will go close. (4)EXCLUSIVE QUANTITY was well beaten there but is 3kg better off and can challenge. (3)VERTICAL DESCENT won here before a long rest. Could be anything. (7)ROCK SPIRIT found support and showed pace in a feature on debut, and should improve plenty. (1)GOOD BUDDY has solid form

Scottsville, 06.06.2018, Race 2, Gallops, 1000m, Turf, R105.000, 6:50PM

Race Summary: (11)PICKAWINNER showed tons of pace in his trial, and with good 4kg claimer Luke Ferraris up may take some beating. Fellow juvenile (8)J J's CAPTAIN has met decent sorts in both starts and will give plenty of cheek. (12)ROMAN DANCER also shone in his trial and has to be included. Same for (13)GENEROUS LADY. The filly (7)LUNEBURG is the only elder who makes any real appeal.

Scottsville, 06.06.2018, Race 3, Gallops, 1400m, Turf, R105.000, 7:25PM

Race Summary: Weak maiden looks a match race between (1)SILVER RAISIN and (2)LINNGER LONGER, with preference for the former. (3)GYPSY QUEEN has run her best race at this course, and could earn a cheque. (12)BOLD BEAUTY can improve and must be respected.

Scottsville, 06.06.2018, Race 4, Gallops, 1400m, Turf, R106.000, 8:00PM

Race Summary: (6)ASHFAHAN is in top form, and gave cheek to a good young filly last time. Should be too good for these. (8)BREAKING BARRIERS is progressive, and will challenge again. (3)TRIPPI'S GIRL will do better on turf, and can shock. (4)CAMPHORATUS, (7)AMANIKA SORCERESS, and (9)HEART OF A LEGEND can all be considered.

Scottsville, 06.06.2018, Race 5, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R122.000, 8:35PM

Race Summary: (4)WYNKELDER is 3/3 over course and distance and met subsequent Golden Horse winner last time. On that run he and (5)ROCK OF AFRICA should fight it out. Bottom weight (8)SCRABBLE has ability and can go close. (2)ISINGAMOYA and (3)PERCIVAL have upset potential in a quality little contest.

Scottsville, 06.06.2018, Race 6, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R82.000, 9:10PM

Race Summary: (2)LOVELY LUCCA is yet to run unplaced, and with a decent 4kg claimer has to be a major contender. Top weight (1)SHEIK'S STORM clearly has ability, and now has a stronger rider. (5)ZADORA and (6)DEEP DOWN REBEL both have solid form and have to be considered, as does (10)MISSIBABA. (3)STELVIO has had long rest but trialed well, and had decent form. (7)MAJESTIC MARY was easy maiden winner.

Scottsville, 06.06.2018, Race 7, Gallops, 1750m, Turf, R105.000, 9:50PM

Race Summary: All but top three are under sufferance at the weights. (3)ANTONY HOTSPUR is improving fast, and with a mere 54kg will take a lot of stopping. The filly (1)MERYL has faced classy types, and takes a big drop in class. Chance despite 60kg. (2)GAT HENSHAW is never far away and will be involved. (4)PLYMOUTH ROCK and (5)TOM COLLINS are best of the rest.

Scottsville, 06.06.2018, Race 8, Gallops, 1950m, Turf, R105.000, 10:25PM

Race Summary: (8)PALACE MYSTERY has had many chances, but in this field with 4kg claimer today could well be the day. (1)PRESS MY BUTTON improved last time, and if repeating is a big threat. (2)SWEET SHAYNA, (3)FOREVERMORE, (4)SUNNY GIRL, (5)JOSEPHINE BAKER and (6)CROWN CHARKA can all be considered in a weak maiden.

Races to be simulcasted are as follows:
Race 1 at 6:15pm
Race 2 at 6:50pm
Race 3 at 7:25pm
Race 4 at 8:00pm
Race 5 at 8:35pm
Race 6 at 9:10pm
Race 7 at 9:50pm
Race 8 at 10:25pm

Starter(South Africa)