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, 22.06.2019, Race 1, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R105.000, 5:45PM

Race Summary: The penny seemed to drop late with SHANGO on debut and he is likely to be smarter this time. He could be the one to beat. THROW A TANTRUM showed promise in a Barrier Trial and must be considered. VALIENTE tired late but could prefer this distance. WINTER TOUR and IMPRESSIVE DUCHESS ran well enough on their debut to have a winning chance. WOLFGANG could be ready on debut.

Scottsville, 22.06.2019, Race 2, Gallops, 1600m, Turf, R110.000, 6:20PM

Race Summary: BABY LETS MAMBO needs to more to win but might play a minor role. ALIBI GUY quickened well enough when winning on debut. He should be smarter this time and can remain undefeated. LIBERTY HALL won well last time out and could prefer the longer distance. TREE TUMBO lacked a strong finish last time out but did win over this distance the time before that. MATTERHORN might place.

Scottsville, 22.06.2019, Race 3, Gallops, 1000m, Turf, R105.000, 6:55PM

Race Summary: FIRST SIGHTING has some fair recent form and does have a winning chance in this line-up. DANCING PRINCESS returns from a break but could finish in the money. SHE'S A CRUSADE is battling for her first win but has been in good form of late. FIRE FAERIE did well in her barrier trial and deserves respect. MOUILLE POINT is improving but might place. TORRENT deserves respect.

Scottsville, 22.06.2019, Race 4, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R105.000, 7:30PM

Race Summary: MOVIE MAGIC has been unreliable but could pop up in the places. URBAN OASIS is in good form and should be fit from a short break. ARISTACHUS has shown promise in his two starts so far and has a winning chance. BINARY STAR has some fair form and could place. BOUNCING TIGGER has some fair form and could place. FOREST JUMP was not disgraced last time out and must be considered.

Scottsville, 22.06.2019, Race 5, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R117.000, 8:05PM

Race Summary: OLD MAN TYME has ability when on song and has a winning chance returning from a short break. PREMIER SHOW has run some fair races over this distance recently and could finish in the money. ALWAHSH disappointed last time out but is capable of better. CABO DA CRUZ continues to improve and is now looking for his fourth win in a row. He is the one to beat. TALKTOTHESTARS can win.

Races to be simulcasted are as follows:
Race 1 at 5:45pm
Race 2 at 6:20pm
Race 3 at 6:55pm
Race 4 at 7:30pm
Race 5 at 8:05pm

Starter(South Africa)