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, 15.01.2020, Race 2, Gallops, 1600m, Turf, R100.000, 7:20PM

Race Summary: PURE QUALITY has improved with Blinkers and can contest the finish again. MASTER DANTE could improve this longer distance. EAGLES VISION tired last time out and could prefer this shorter distance. FADE TO BLACK could improve on his local debut. FRANKIE TWO SHOES might play a minor role. TAIL SPIN won a sprint barrier trial. LIVING WATERS returns from a short break-chance.

Scottsville, 15.01.2020, Race 3, Gallops, 1950m, Turf, R100.000, 7:50PM

Race Summary: POWER TO COMMAND ran a much improved last run and must be considered. ROCK WITH ME needs to do more to win but could earn some minor money. IMPERIAL RAGE is battling but can win a weak race like this. CASSIUS COLT can go close to winning in such company. STUNNING GUEST showed good improvement last timeout and can go one better. NOBLE FLIGHT is better than his last run suggests.

Scottsville, 15.01.2020, Race 4, Gallops, 2400m, Turf, R105.000, 8:25PM

Race Summary: CRIME VICTIM has not won for some time but might play a minor role. PAYBACKTHEMONEY is course and distance suited and should be right there at the finish. TOP CLASSMAN can earn some minor money. TWICE THE FLIGHT is improving and could like this distance. DONT LOOK BACK was not far back in a better field than this last time. Respect GREEK SWORD who is improving nicely.

Scottsville, 15.01.2020, Race 5, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R100.000, 9:00PM

Race Summary: CUVARA proved just in need of his last run and will be fitter this time. SHARE HOLDER disappointed last time out but should do better. MADE IN HOLLYWOOD has not won for some time but cannot be ignored with Anton Marcus in the money. BLACKBURN ROC is battling for his second win but could place. HIGH VOLTAGE tackles stronger but could place. WAVE has ability and can go close.

Scottsville, 15.01.2020, Race 6, Gallops, 1000m, Turf, R105.000, 9:37PM

Race Summary: WHIZZ OF ODDS has done nothing wrong so far and could still be a step ahead of the handicapper. This is tougher task for her but she could keep a perfect record. CANDY GALORE is better than her last run and could pop up in the places. WILDLY IN LOVE has been disappointing recently-might place. BE HAPPY was full of running when winning last time out and must be considered.

Scottsville, 15.01.2020, Race 7, Gallops, 1400m, Turf, R105.000, 10:10PM

Race Summary: INN A MINUTE won nicely last time out but tackles stronger and tries a bend. SANSKRIFT is battling to win but might earn some money. LIQUID IRISH is better than her last run and must be respected. OOH LA LA returns from a short break but could finish in the money. More was expected of LADY CAROLINE LAMB last time out but she can earn some money. SCARLET CHILL is not out of it.

Scottsville, 15.01.2020, Race 8, Gallops, 1400m, Turf, R90.000, 10:45PM

Race Summary: KILDONAN BAY seems better than what she showed last time around. FIRST SIGHTING is holding form and could be ready to win. KILVINGTON is better than her last run and she does have a winning chance in this line-up. SANS DANCER is unreliable but is not out of it. PATH TO GLORY was not beaten far last time and could place. LA DUCHESS finally shed her maiden tag but might place.

Races to be simulcasted are as follows:
Race 2 at 7:20pm
Race 3 at 7:50pm
Race 4 at 8:25pm
Race 5 at 9:00pm
Race 6 at 9:37pm
Race 7 at 10:10pm
Race 8 at 10:45pm

Starter(South Africa)