Summer Cup 2025

Build up to the Summer Cup on Saturday 29th November. Reckon we can use this dedicated thread rather than the weekly racing topics so posts with any early fancy's don't get buried. I've also started a blog which will be updated frequently. 

Summer Cup Betting Blog


The Final field followed by the draw will be announced on Wednesday 19th November. There is some ante post betting out right now with The Equator favourite at around 2/1 but I'll post regular updates from Wednesday onwards.

All Summer Cup bets and thoughts are most welcome here

Final decs for all races on SC Day were made this morning, no major surprises from what I saw with the leading ante post fancy's for the big race all in the mix bar See It Again who came out some time ago. Seems the draw is tonight (Wed 19th) streamed on the Racing Today website from 19h00, you would imagine it would be on Ch 240 on DSTV as well but I don't see any confirmation of that.

Will throw up some betting on Wednesday morning. 

Some fancied horses drew nicely, looks like all the jockeys are booked and latest betting is included in the article below

Summer Cup Final Field and Betting

thanks chris, looks like a great card on the day as well.

I'm a bit confused - formgrids has Andrew Fortune down to ride Olivias Way, and winning form has GVN. Not sure who's correct?

Good spot South, just checked Gallop and they now saying Andrew Fortune booked for Olivia's Way, have edited the final field article, cheers mate

Cheers Chris. I’m happy with the CandyMan on board, will be hunting a big win for sure. 

Shot South I remember you were keen on Olivia's Way in the early decs. Manna Fortune amazing to get his weight right down again, seem to remember when he made last comeback he was riding at around 58.5kg and he said he was going to lose a few more kg's, terrific stuff at his age.

Summer Cup blog updated  here  Over the weekend King Pelles was shortening half a point a day with Hollywood and is now 7/2. The Equator remains unchanged at 9/4 fav. Think betting for the rest of the card is out now as well. 

Summer Cup runners and riders, latest betting and pen pic comments for each horse now complete

My Thoughts On The Big Race Here

My two each way (win and 4 places) plays as value alternatives to the fancied runners. 

Spumante Dolce and Royal Victory, both currently 25/1

All opinions welcome, will get my head into the rest of the card on Thursday and Friday

shot chris good comments.

ive been looking for one to add to OLIVIAS WAY and battling a bit. WILD INTENT may end up being my other roughie just on form of yard, really going well of late.

 

Nice one lads , 

Im studying the card atm and will add my two cent selections in due course !!

Looking forward to today's race meet at Turffontein. 

Race 1
A field full of babies, hoping KT will add his vote to this race , he's normally very good with his breeding . For me though , Tarry has some expensive runners and is always a huge threat on big race days , the Spies stable have two runners and despite not having any good babies in recent times could be of interest. 

Race 2
Another large field down the straight . The draw bias has been better with the high numbers and Tintin has a low 5 draw so perhaps this coud present some value.  Strong support Proper , jockey strike . Of the runners i prefer Split the 8's . 

Race 3
Open 1400 , much will depend on how Cat's Pajama's travel's up from Durban. I do make him my first choice, but tricky . 

Race 4
I think the Tarry stable holds the aces here , Rodeo Drive over Mia Moo. 

Race 5
Wide open race , Nyaka Nyaka , good draw, low weight , my first choice. 

Race 6
The Fillies Mile, Pretty Persuasive and United Offer.

Race 7
The Dingaans. I wish Trust had had a few more runs , but I'm going balls deep on this one. The stable and jock in good form and well drawn.

Race 8
King Pelles is my first choice , up from Durban which has me concerned and the Van Zyl team not in great form. However his prep has been brilliant and he is my first choice. Chances also to Spumante Dolce , Olivia's Way and the Ultimate King , Mackem's old flame Royal Victory should run well. 

Race 9
Summer Cup consollation , Thunee Player could claim a nice win here , race obviously very open, also like Aladdins Lamp who has also had a good prep. 

Race 10
Stayers race over 2 miles , Corrupt my strong fancy , postage stamp weight and was well supported last time. 

Race 11.
The last and get out stakes, all apprentices and I'm leaning towards PlayBoy Bomber to round off what I hope is a decent days racing ! 

Play well bruv's. 

Thanks a mill Coil, will add my picks for the rest of the card on Friday and Saturday. Seems to be a concern about the weather forecast, looks likely to be wet, lets hope no worse than that. All the money last few days seems to be for King Pelles, could potentially go off favourite

For anyone interested in the Weighted to Win panel discussion with Mike de Kock and Sean Tarry the video is below.



MdK says his runner and one of my each way plays Spumante Dolce does have a ? over stamina which I hadn't taken into account tbh but will stick with her and they were generally positive about Royal Victory being value at 25/1. I believe Royal is all well.

The Winning Form Punters Challenge preview, I believe its a bumper jackpot  is available here  free to play you just need a  Hollywoodbets account  and they are offering a 15% bonus on deposits

thanks coil. battling for time to look at card tonight, but for main race  -SUMMER CUP: Gone around a bit but sticking with OLIVIA’S WAY as main pick now as big as 40/1. As per previous comments i posted i feel she’s still on the upgrade, is perfectly course and distance suited and doesn’t mind the soft one bit. I like WILD INTENT also a huge price around 80/1 to possibly pop up, and my 3rd choice is LEGEND OF ARTHUR @ 28/1, just think if it’s soft he can bounce back. e/w plays on these 3.

Will swerve the baby's race in the opener.

Race 2 Witch Hazel each way at 16/1. A few of these have run against each other and the selection has a touch to find but went off fav that day, Rachel takes 1.5kg off, seems decent enough value.

Race 3 Agree with Coil's thoughts on Cats Pjamas but have slight preference for Minogue at 7/2, Muzi up and 52kg, has won in wet, draw could have been kinder though. Think the yard will be in the winners box at least once today

Race 4 Rodeo Drive 5/1 win, Tarry / Zackey combo, high draw for up the straight, would imagine had plenty of options so the fact they bringing this one back to sprints stood out. 

Race 5 with Coil on Nyaka Nyaka for same reasons (in my original post forgot to add Truth for the Dawson yard from a good draw so wingers here)

Race 6 Little Miss Million 7/1, big concern about draw for some of the fancied runners but not this one. ? is the loong lay off but yard knows how to lay them out so big player if fit enough

More to follow .....

Race 7, With Coil again on Trust

Race 8, As posted earlier Royal Victory at 25/1 each way, cooled a bit on Spumante Dolce. See King Pelles has now gone fav, has been loads of money for that this week. 

Race 9 Field Marshall 9/2, KZN runner with a great record in the wet and no stamina doubts. Has had a look at Turffontein last time out which was earlier this month. I'm hoping they traveled back and forth rather than left him up there as can take a while to acclimatize but will give him my vote any way

Will swerve Race 10 (Sunderland v Bournemouth kicking off) but half time should coincide with Race 11 Harun Al Rashid at 11/2 to hopefully complete a good day for KZN, well drawn, form in wet, decent appy. 

Have a great day if you playing the horses

Race 6 MELECH @ 20/1, an old fave of mine who’s strong finish could be suited by Fortune quiet hands. 

race 9 CAPE EAGLE @ 7/1, not getting any younger but still retains high ability.

race 11 NEVER NEVER LAND @ 13/2 or bigger price I think could drift. Yard had a good double midweek and this one bred for more ground. 



 

Thanks Guys, great thoughts. Lets hope we can all find some winners.

Race 1
Theodore Rooseveld @ 14/1 (Betfred)
Nicely bred and full brother to Icy Elanor who was very speedy early in KZN and won in the soft. Stable brings them to the races ready and nice draw up the middle, hopefully will get a decent run.
Status Symbol @ 18/1 (WSB)
Zackey looks to me to be almost stable elect Jock, so guessing would have first choice. Also nicely bred and siblings had some early pace. 
Then just for sentimental reasons, first Chimmichuri Run in Race 1, from Spies stable. None of siblings superstars but this horse was good to me, and for Spies yard price was high.

Race 2
With Chris on Witch Hazel for same reasons.
Magic Carpet Ride @ 9/1 (WSB)
Decent last run last time in the soft when just pipped by stable companion. Definitely not stable elect but drawn on right side and gets services of top jock.
Of the first timers I like Isaac Stephen, By Vercingetrix and out of a Elusive Fort Mare. I like the breeding as I have found that Elusive forts like the softer going, and been by Vercingetorix, very well bred.

Race 3 - Fiery Pegasus @ 15/2
Has won of C&D and gets Jock allowance of 1.5Kg. Last run in the soft was good. Definitely got bigger things to fry probably but worth ago at the price.

Race 4
Malibu @ 30/1
Big step up in class but looks above average to me, wasn't far behind some decent horses in One Fine Winter run, and now is carrying nothing. 

Race 5
Same as South on Melech and also like some of Charming Cheetah @ 10/1
Beaten some of the more favored horses and getting weight.

Race 6
Also with Chris on Little Miss Million & United Offer @ 25/2

Race 7
Hard to look past top 2 but I got some 25/1 last night of Whispering Death. Stable sounded confident and has won over C & D

Race 8
Followed you guys, but if pushed I like a bit of Otto Luken @ 16/1. Done well of late and JP flown up for race.

Hope we all have a great days racing and enjoy.

So stiff South , fuk me, great call . 

Coil wrote:

So stiff South , fuk me, great call . 

Yeah gutted thanks coil I think if she stays on straight course she wins but she’s done that before at a finish. Other filly very good she actually had a lot of traffic so deserved the win.

 

Thanks for all the Summer Cup input guys, rough result in the big race though an inspired early call from South on Olivia's Way almost landed at huge odds. I had some joy in the other races so no complaints though my 2 Summer Cup fancy;s never threatened.