The 2025 edition of Betway Summer Cup will be run at Turffontein racecourse on Saturday 29th November and in this blog we will bring you all the latest news including the final field and barrier draw plus market moves and regular betting updates.
Update Posted 0700 Saturday 29th November
It's race day and this will be our final update to the blog. On Friday we saw a change of favourite as King Pelles shortened into 8/10 and The Equator was pushed out to 3/1. Atticus Finch remains 7/1 and Madison Valley is a 10/1 shot. These odds will no doubt change as race day money comes in up to the off time of 16:00.
The latest Summer Cup betting is available on this link
Royal Victory at 25/1 for the win and 7/2 to run in the top 4 is our value selection. We also have some cover in Spumante Dolce at similar odds although this filly will need to prove she stays the 2000m trip
For those who want to enter the Hollywoodbets Punters Challenge which is free to play, the Winning Form preview covering all races on the card is available here.
Tips from other members of our community are also available on our discussion forum and can be viewed here.
Remember the 15% bonus on all deposits up to R30,000, 24th to 29th November at Hollywoodbets. T&C's apply
Many thanks for reading and may your own selections result in a profitable day's racing
Update Posted 0700 Friday 28th November
Betting update from Hollywoodbets
No further significant betting moves over the last 24 hours.
For those who want to enter the Hollywoodbets Punters Challenge which is free to play, the Winning Form preview covering all races on the card is available here.
Summer Cup latest betting will be updated daily and along with pen pics and our selections it is available on this link
15% bonus on all deposits up to R30,000, 24th to 29th November at Hollywoodbets. T&C's apply
Update Posted 0700 Thursday 27th November
Betting update from Hollywoodbets
Movement over the last 24 hours includes the favourite The Equator easing slightly to 5/2 whilst support continues for King Pelles who is now 3/1. Atticus Finch eased to 7/10 and Madison Valley was shortened into 10/1
Summer Cup latest betting will be updated daily and along with pen pics and our selections it is available on this link
15% bonus on all deposits up to R30,000, 24th to 29th November at Hollywoodbets. T&C's apply
Update Posted 1400 Wednesday 26th November
Summer Cup pen pics, latest betting and our two runners for win and place bets at long odds are now available on this link
Update Posted 0700 Wednesday 26th November
Betting update from Hollywoodbets
No major moves among the favourites yesterday in the betting markets although the price of some of the outsiders lengthened
Summer Cup latest betting will be updated daily and is available on this link
15% bonus on all deposits up to R30,000, 24th to 29th November at Hollywoodbets. T&C's apply
Update Posted 0700 Tuesday 25th November
Betting update from Hollywoodbets
No major moves yesterday in the betting markets other than Atticus Finch who was eased to 6/1 (from 11/2)
Summer Cup latest betting will be updated daily and is available on this link
15% bonus on all deposits up to R30,000, 24th to 29th November at Hollywoodbets. T&C's apply
Update Posted 0800 Monday 24th November
Betting update from Hollywoodbets
Second favourite King Pelles shortens further into 7/2 (from 4/1) in the only significant betting move yesterday. The Equator remains favourite at 9/4
Summer Cup latest betting will be updated daily and is available on this link
Update Posted 0800 Sunday 23rd November
Betting update from Hollywoodbets
Yesterday saw second favourite King Pelles shorten further into 4/1 (from 9/2) and Atticus Finch eased to 11/2 (from 5/1). The Equator remains favourite at 9/4
Summer Cup latest betting will be updated daily and is available on this link
Update Posted 0800 Friday 21st November
Latest betting from Hollywoodbets
Summer Cup latest betting will be updated daily and is available on this link
There were no significant market moves on Thursday, note that Andrew Fortune has been engaged to ride No 14: Olivia's Way
Posted 08:00 Thursday 20th Nov
Final field announced
BETWAY SUMMER CUP (Grade 1) 2000m
Saturday 29th November Race 8: due Off 16:00
Odds correct as of 08:00 Thursday 20th Nov and are subejct to change, place betting also available
1 ATTICUS FINCH
Trainer Alec Laird Jockey Calvin Habib
Draw 2 6yo, 60kg MR 127
2 ROYAL VICTORY
Trainer Nathan Kotzen Jockey Chad Little
Draw 14 6yo, 59kg MR 125
3 KING PELLES
Trainer Gareth van Zyl Jockey S’manga Khumalo
Draw 11 5yo, 57.5kg MR 122
4 SON OF RAJ
Trainer Tony Peter Jockey Kabelo Matsunyane
Draw 4 6yo 55.5kg MR 118
5 THE EQUATOR
Trainer Tony Peter Jockey Gavin Lerena
Draw 3 5yo 55kg MR 117
6 LEGEND OF ARTHUR
Trainer Sean Tarry Jockey Malesela Katjedi
Draw 20 4yo 54.5kg MR 117
7 MADISON VALLEY
Trainer Frank Robinson Jockey Craig Zackey
Draw 18 5yo 54.5kg MR 116
8 OTTO LUYKEN
Trainer Gareth van Zyl Jockey JP v’d Merwe
Draw 8 6yo 54.5kg MR 116
9 MY BEST SHOT
Trainer Alan Greeff Jockey Richard Fourie
Draw 12 4yo 54kg MR 116
10 ON MY HONOUR
Trainer Glen Kotzen Jockey Serino Moodley
Draw 5 4yo 54kg MR 116
11 SPUMANTE DOLCE
Trainer Mike / Mathhew de Kock Jockey Callan Murray
Draw 10 4yo (filly) 54kg MR 116
12 PARISIAN WALKWAY
Trainer Alec Laird Jockey Philasande Mxoli
Draw 16 4yo 54kg MR 115
13 BUSSTOPINHOUNSLOW
Trainer Grant Maroun Jockey Rachel Venniker
Draw 7 4yo 54kg MR 112
14 OLIVIA’S WAY
Trainer Roy Magner Jockey Andrew Fortune
Draw 9 4yo (filly) 54kg MR 112
15 THE ULTIMATE KING
Trainer Tony Peter Jockey Muzi Yeni
Draw 1 4yo 54kg MR 111
16 WILD INTENT
Trainer Lucky Houdalakis Jockey Marco van Rensburg
Draw 15 4yo 54kg MR 110
17 ANFIELDS ROCKET
Trainer Grant Maroun Jockey Sean Veale
Draw 17 6yo 54kg MR 109
18 SOLAR SAIL
Trainer Mark Khan Jockey Jarryd Penny
Draw 19 4yo 54kg MR 109
19 MOCHA BLEND
Trainer Frank Robinson Jockey Tristan Godden
Draw 13 4yo (filly) 54kg MR 105
20 NAVAJO NATION
Trainer WO Maring / WH Maring Jockey Kobeli Lihaba
Draw 6 5yo 54kg MR 104
Posted 12:00 16th November
Final declarations for the big race will be made by 11:00 on Wednesday 19th November and the all important barrier draw for the 20 strong field of runners will be made later on the same day.
Shortly after the final field has been announced and the draw has taken place we will bring you the latest betting for the race which carries a total prize money purse of R6 million.
At this stage the likely favourite to win the Summer Cup is The Equator, a 5yo import trained by Tony Peter who has 3 runs in South Africa. His local debut in Durban in July 2024 was nothing special but this season 2 impressive wins at Turffontein has seen him shoot to prominence for a tilt at the Summer Cup where he has been trading as short as 2/1.
Other notable runners are likely to include the 2024 winner of the race Atticus Finch who tuned up for this with victory in the Charity Mile at this course. Champion stayer King Pelles from KZN is another to have caught the attention of punters thanks to good showing in 2 prep runs over distances way short of his ideal trip. The Ultimate King is a stable companion of the favourite who is rapidly improving and KZN raider Madison Valley, who was fourth in this race last year at odds of 100/1, is sure to have his supporters. The winner of the Summer Cup in 2023 Royal Victory is a course and distance specialist and another to make the trip from the coast whilst champion jockey Richard Fourie has been engaged to ride My Best Shot who will make the trip from the Eastern Cape.
Regular updates will be added to this blog right up to race day and we will also have an in-depth preview nearer to race day.
Finally, members of the Goodforthegame community will be sharing their tips on the dedicated Summer Cup thread on our brand new discussion forum. If you haven't done so already, register a forum account here.