As South Africans transition from winter into the vibrant energy of spring, horse racing enthusiasts and families gathered for a day of spectacular racing at the Turffontein Racecourse, on September 2.
The Betway Spring Spree Stakes, hosted by horse racing operator 4Racing, in partnership with Betway, marked an electrifying start to the horse racing season and set the tone for an unforgettable 13-part series of races leading up to the much-anticipated R5m 2023 Betway Summer Cup.
The Betway Spring Spree Stakes, the listed 1 200m race, kicked off the Highveld feature race season with an increased prize of R250 000.
At the halfway point of the race, it became clear that two horses were the frontrunners for honours, ‘Quantum Theory’, ridden by the jockey S’manga Khumalo, and ‘Sheldon’, ridden by Gavin Lerena.
The two horses were neck and neck and matched each other stride for stride. In the end, Khumalo and Quantum Theory emerged victorious in the season’s first big feature race.
Another highlight of the race day, the Non-Black Type Betway Lady’s Stakes, which is a 1 200m featured race with an R175 000 prize, provided a nail-biting spectacle as Craig Zackey and Miss Daisy pushed their limits to claim victory.
4Racing head of racing operations, Gabriel Soma said, “We are excited to have started this season with a successful racing event backed by strong sponsorship from Betway. The Betway Spring Spree Stakes provided a day filled with entertainment for all ages at Turffontein. The anticipation is building to the Betway Summer Cup, and we are looking forward to an exciting spring season.”
Next up in the feature race season is the Betway Joburg Spring Challenge on October 7 at Turffontein Racecourse as the momentum and excitement rise in the world of horse racing.
A list of the winners on the Betway Spring Spree Stakes race day:
Race 1: Betway Back the Boks Maiden Plate 1 450m
Horse: King’s Ransom
Jockey: Gavin Lerena
Race 2: Betway Tote Rewards Club Novice Handicap 1 600m
Horse: King’s Express
Jockey: S’manga Khumalo
Race 3: Betway Aviator FM 85 Handicap (F & M) 1 500m
Horse: On the Horizon
Jockey: Richard Fourie
Race 4: Betway Get Way More Mr 96 Handicap (F & M) 1 800m
Horse: Twin Turbo
Jockey: S’manga Khumalo
Race 5: Betway Boost Mr 75 Handicap 1 800m
Horse: Trois Trois Quatre
Jockey: Juan Paul van der Merwe
Race 6: Betway the Lady’s Stakes 1 200m
Horse: Miss Daisy
Jockey: Craig Zackey
Race 7: Betway Spring Spree Stakes (Listed) 1 200m
Horse: Quantum Theory
Jockey: S’manga Khumalo
Race 8: Betway Insurebet Graduation Plate 1 000m
Horse: Ready to Charge
Jockey: Muzi Yeni
Race 9: Betway We Pay Your Tax on Horse Racing Wins Middle Stakes 1 000m
Horse: Captain Hindsight
Jockey: Chase Maujean
Race 10: Betway Money Back Boost Fm 80 Handicap (F & M) 1 000m
Horse: Golden Sickle
Jockey: Trent Mayhew