World Sports Betting new sponsors of the Winter Series

In a most positive collaboration, Cape Racing and World Sports Betting are proud to announce that WSB are the new sponsors of the entire Winter Series – a challenging sequence of quality races over 1600m, 1800m and 2400m, attracting the most durable local milers and middle- distance performers.



Says WSB’s Marketing Manager Ryno du Plessis, “We’re thrilled to be on board – the annual Winter Series has a strong history and is a pivotal part of Cape Racing’s regional program at this time of the year. World Sports Betting is totally committed to promoting the growth of horse racing around the country.”



The stellar honours roll of those who have swept all three legs include nine times multiple G1 hero and iconic legend of the turf, Pocket Power who managed the feat in 2006; top class African Night Sky (who may well have scaled even greater heights after his 2017 exploits barring a subsequent career limiting injury); and 2020 victor, Katak – recently arrived in France, (eight months after departing these shores) as he endures arduous quarantine protocols en-route to seeking his fortune in Singapore.



Past July winners Marinaresco and Power King are also Winter Guineas alumni, as is one of the greatest milers ever produced in SA – internationally acclaimed, Variety Club, after whom Saturday’s 1600m race is named.



Champion trainer Justin Snaith sends out Hoedspruit and Warrior, whilst Paarl based, Glen Kotzen saddles Northern Song and Crimson King as principal contenders. Hoedspruit ran admirably to be fourth in the Cape Derby, and his course and distance effort when three lengths off Malmoos after a troubled trip in the Concorde Stakes would make him a live runner under Anton Marcus. Stable mate, Warrior takes a big leap in class after despatching weaker rivals but is improving rapidly and merits respect as the mount of high-percentage, stable jock, Richard Fourie.



Northern Song was beaten a lip in the Eastern Cape Guineas versus lesser opposition and may need to boost his overall form-line to win this, though having Grant van Niekerk doing the steering is exactly the remedy to stoke this son of Oratorio up for a peak performance. Companion, Crimson King stayed on to be five lengths off Linebacker in the Derby – no disgrace there, but it still leaves a couple of lengths to make up on Hoedspruit.



An intriguing entry is the giant filly, Marina – closely related to previously mentioned, Marinaresco. She’s a winner of four out of seven starts with her last appearance really catching the eye – the leggy daughter of Silvano hurtled through a dramatic come home sectional to score fluently in a fillies’ handicap.



Trainer Candice Bass rates her as equivalent in latent ability to star race mare, Nightingale who compiled a fine record, including a placing in the Durban July. It could be too tough an ask for this stretch running filly to get past strong male rivals when jumping from an awkward draw of eight, yet she may conceivably prove up to this mission.



WSB’s generous Winter Series sponsorship which extends till July, also encompasses three legs for Fillies testing their versatility and talent – commencing Saturday at Kenilworth with the Sweet Chestnut Stakes over 1600m and culminating with the Winter Oaks over 2200m.



Here too, Bass appears to have a strong hand with Chat Ching, a proven Group 1 performer and top of the official ratings on 114 after placing in the Fillies Guineas, Paddock Stakes and Majorca Stakes. She also has a potent back-up in the 4th placed finisher from the Vasco Prix du Cap form-line, Lemon Delight. Chat Ching may prove the more solid option for confirmed class handicappers, though Lemon Delight’s stretch run from a hopeless position in the Prix du Cap revealed great promise.



In-between these two on official merit ratings is Maledimo, awarded 105 for her career best. At a superficial glance, this Master of my Fate filly may appear a humble one- time winner from seven tries but word from the Woodruff yard is that she’s a genuinely top- notch filly, due a change of fortune. Go-to jock Gavin Lerena flies in from Joburg to partner her – a clear sign of intent.



Pink Tourmaline represents the Brett Crawford barn. She is poised on a hat-trick after beating off medium grade opposition in fillies and mares’’ handicaps. This is considerably tougher, and she will need to boost her finishing fractions, but Crawford and jockey Marcus are a potent duo always worth taking seriously.



Punters looking elsewhere for the winner may spread wider to factor in Justin Snaith’s conditioning expertise. Rain In Newmarket (Richard Fourie) rates equal to La Quinta (Sandile Mbhele) on collateral form from late last year, though jockey bookings suggest the former is more likely to shine here. She is inconvenienced by a wide gate of 11, however. No such problems for Veronica Mars – she jumps from the inside alley and may get into the fray if enjoying stretching out to this longer 1600m route.

may i ask what does the WSB’s generous Winter Series sponsorship entails?
More money?
More races ?

just curious the media release did not specify.

Sly the are sponsoring the Winter Series, sure it was Highlands last season

The usual deal is for the sponsor to put up half the stake money.

Well done again WSB

Well done WSB, thats why I support them, they support racing directly (stakes and the owners). Plus never any crap, early betting, good odds, etc