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The women were up first and Bruna Kajiya got the day started with her ever impressive clockwork style. But it was women’s tour leader and reigning world champion, Mikaili Sol, who hit the alarm for what was to come, opening her account with a huge stalefish slim 5 and then a 317 on trick four.
In the men's race, Manoel Soares had the chance to win his first world title. As the draw would have it, he faced second ranked rider Gianmaria Coccoluto in that quarter final, as well as Valentin Garat and a local ripper with a huge reputation, Erick Anderson. All Gianmaria Coccoluto could do at this event was keep winning his heats and hope that Soares would trip up before reaching the semi finals. Now it was in his hands, but even if he won the heat he’d need help from one of the others to push Manoel into third, and out of the competition. Coccoluto produced a performance for the ages. Attacking without fear, he ripped Taiba lagoon apart like never before. Soares led after two tricks, but started to slip as the Italian hit full beast mode, scoring two nines and then two tens in succession that sent goosebumps through the crowd and left the judges in awe. Having uncharacteristically caught a front edge on his third trick, Manoel started to look tense. He forced out a 319 and a 315 and then the backside 315 on his last trick attempt just wasn’t good enough to overtake in-form lagoon specialist, Erick Anderson, who went through to semis behind Coccoluto.
There are still three contenders for the title, but only two remain in the competition. Manoel now has to sit things out and wait to see if Gianmaria or Juan Rodriguez will win the event or not. Those two meet next in the semi-finals!
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On Saturday December 17th at 15h40, 15 of SA's best 3yo Colts and gelding will line up at the 1600m mark @ Hollywoodbets Kenilworth Racecourse, in a bid to see who is KING. Mike de Kock who is the winning most visiting trainer sets the scene for us. Remember Horse Chestnut, Domino Man, Flight Alert, Noa From Goa and Socrat. He send two top milers from Gauteng to take on Charles Dickens, Cousin Casey and the rest.
Betway have come to the party, big time, with injections of sponsorship, bonus cheques for winning trainers and incentives for grooms at grass roots level. Their bonuses to grooms have been a game-changer for us. Their spring series and the R5-million sponsorship of the Summer Cup is an indication of their commitment and that gives me hope for the future.
If you’ve met Betway’s Jonathan Blumberg you will know how passionate he is about lifting racing in the 4Racing regions to higher levels. He is part of a dynamic team led by CEO Laurence Michel, who is incidentally also capable golfer when he is away from his office desk. They have a genuine desire to assist owners, trainers and grooms in the 4Racing territories, and they’re in line with Mary Slack’s objectives to develop racing from its grass roots.
Let’s give credit where it’s due. And, if you haven’t opened an account with Betway yet, you can do so here, support racing via the tote and enjoy their excellent online betting platform.
The World Sports Betting Championships ups the ante this Saturday as the WSB Triple Crown and Wilgerbosdrift Triple Tiara Series concludes with a high-quality R4.33 million WSB Derby Day of thrilling Graded racing.
The stakes are high in every respect, with the race day headlined by the R1.5 million WSB SA Derby (Grade 1) for three-year-olds over 2450m, the prestigious R1 million HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes (Grade 1) over 1600m and the very special R750 000 Wilgerbosdrift Bridget Oppenheimer Oaks (Grade 2) for three-year-old fillies over 2450m.
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Merritt Tyson
This looks like such an awesome show. 🔥