South Africa Racing Tips

South Africa Horse Racing Track Characteristics

Understanding the characteristics of South Africa’s racecourses is crucial for making informed betting decisions. Each track has unique features influencing race outcomes, including layout, surface, track bias, and key races.

Greyville Racecourse (Durban)

• Type: Turf & Polytrack
• Course Layout: Right-handed, 2800m circumference with tight turns. The Polytrack provides an alternative surface for wet conditions.
• Track Bias: Inside draws are favoured in shorter distances; wide draws struggle in sprints. The Polytrack often favours front-runners.
• Key Races: Durban July, Daily News 2000, Gold Cup.

Turffontein Racecourse (Johannesburg)

• Type: Turf
• Course Layout: Left-handed, undulating track with a long straight of approximately 1200m.
• Track Bias: Favors strong finishers due to the long run-in. Horses that can sustain their speed tend to perform well.
• Key Races: Summer Cup, SA Derby, Charity Mile.

Kenilworth Racecourse (Cape Town)

• Type: Turf
• Course Layout: Right-handed with two courses (Old and New). The Old Course has a shorter straight, while the New Course has a longer run-in.
• Track Bias: The Old Course tends to favor front-runners, while the New Course suits horses that finish strongly.
• Key Races: Queen’s Plate, Cape Derby, Cape Guineas, Met.

Scottsville Racecourse (Pietermaritzburg)

• Type: Turf
• Course Layout: Right-handed, featuring a unique 1200m straight course, one of the longest in South Africa.
• Track Bias: Fairly even, but inside draws can be advantageous, especially in sprints.
• Key Races: Golden Horse Sprint, Tsogo Sun Sprint, Allan Robertson Championship.

Vaal Racecourse

• Type: Turf
• Course Layout: Left-handed, flat track with a long straight. Sprints are run on a straight 1200m track.
• Track Bias: Best suited for horses with strong finishes; inside draws can be advantageous in wet conditions.
• Key Races: Grand Heritage, Vaal Sand Challenge.

Fairview Racecourse (Port Elizabeth/Gqeberha)

• Type: Turf & Polytrack
• Course Layout: Right-handed with both a turf track and an all-weather Polytrack.
• Track Bias: The turf course can favor inside draws, while the Polytrack often benefits front-runners.
• Key Races: East Cape Derby, East Cape Nursery, Lady’s Bracelet.

Flamingo Park (Kimberley) – Closed in 2020 – WE WANT IT BACK!!!

• Type: Sand (Previously)
• Course Layout: Right-handed, tight track that required stamina.
• Track Bias: Typically favored horses that adapted well to the deep sand surface.
• Key Races: Flamingo Park Sprint. (Now discontinued)

Borrowdale Racecourse (Harare, Zimbabwe – Often Included in SA Betting Pools)

• Type: Turf
• Course Layout: Right-handed, approximately 2700m in circumference, with a 600m straight.
• Track Bias: Often favors strong finishers, but early positioning is crucial.
• Key Races: Zimbabwe Derby, Castle Tankard, OK Grand Challenge.