Andrew Harrison

After graduating with an Honours Degree in Journalism from Stellenbosch University in 1980, Andrew Harrison immediately started as a cub reporter on The Natal Witness, a leading KwaZulu Natal newspaper in the same year. Andrew moved to the sports department covering (cricket/hockey) before taking over as Racing Editor in 1982. He was the Racing Editor for 25 years before being head-hunted by Gold Circle to head up their newly created Publishing Department after the company had signed a contract to supply Independent Newspapers with their racing content. Andrew held this position for 16 years before reaching retirement in February this year, however is still responsible for the editorial and tipping content for all Gold Circle tracks for both local and international customers.

Greyville Racecourse – Track Analysis (Champions Cup Day):

Durban’s Greyville Racecourse is a clockwise venue with a 2800m turf course that envelopes another synthetic strip. It imitates a triangular configuration of Great Britain’s Ascot Racecourse, with a 430m homestretch. Races from 1800m to 2400m start on the back straight, realistically a gentle turn, and runners can generally sort themselves out before hitting the sharp right-handed turn before the 1600m mark.

The course is deceptive as there is a significant climb before the final bend. From the 1600m mark to the 1200m mark there is a gradual drop of 3m. From the 900m mark to the 400m mark on the final turn there is a gradual climb of 4m. There is also a four-degree fall/camber from outer to inner on the turn. The rest of the track has a one-degree fall/camber. The sweeping final bend with it’s camber allows wide runners to slingshot themselves into the thick of the fray. All races from 1000m to 1600m start on the bend.

Nine races from the Champions Cup Day will be simulcast to Hong Kong this year: eight on turf and one on the polytrack.

For 1600m G1 Thekwini Stakes and G1 Premiers Champion Stakes, draws 1-6 are optimum. From these draws riders can place their mounts with the minimum of effort while horses that are drawn wider can often be caught out and either have to drop out for a better position or commit early. Unlike in Hong Kong where the pace is mostly genuine, local riders play the tactical game and if there is no recognised front-runner in the race the early pace can be pedestrian favouring horses with a smart turn of foot.

There are three races over 1200m including G2 The Debutante, G2 Umkhomazi Stakes and G1 Mercury Sprint. In sprints from 1000m to 1200m, wide draws are less significant as runners can be aimed at the apex of the turn but wide draws are still a disadvantage. The pace in these races is generally genuine but the up-hill section from 900m to 400m can catch out the front runners if going too hard early.

For the featured G1 HKJC World Pool Champions Cup over 1800m, the field will have a short stretch run to the first turn. The 2000m G2 Gold Bracelet also plays likewise to the 1800m trip, only that runners have an extra 200m stretch of the backside to wiggle before entering the first turn.

For the 3200m G3 Greyville Gold Cup, the race starts at the 400m mark in the home stretch. Runners will have a 450m chute to find a favourable position, therefore wide draws only cause little harms on their winning chances.

Moving to the 1000m Umngeni Handicap on the polytrack, this track requires a jockey who can judge pace. It is a much quicker surface than the turf track and riders that allow their mounts to hit top speed too early are most often caught out over the final 100m. Wide draws on the polytrack, over all distances, are not that important as the pace is generally on from the jump.

Last year’s Champions Cup won by JET DARK, stable companion CROWN TOWERS was used as the hare and set a solid gallop allowing the field to settle nicely before the 1600m marker and the main turn. The first two barrier gates were left open minimising early scrimmaging on the inside rail. It was a fine afternoon with track conditions posted as Good. CROWN TOWERS is in the field again and likely to play the same role as he races in the same colours as the more fancied JET DARK. There are not many runners in this year’s entries so there should not be any hard luck stories. Richard Fourie who hunting his 8th G1 of the season aboard JET DARK for Justin Snaith.

The weather forecast is for a cool partly cloudy day but no rain predicted in the week leading up to the raceday. Expected high is 23 degrees with a low of 13 degrees. Track going should be good.

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