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 Hollywoodbets 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.

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 its camber allows wide runners to slingshot themselves into the thick of the fray. All races from the 1600m mark to the 1000m mark start on the bend.

Nine turf races from the Champions Cup Day will be simulcast to Hong Kong this year.

There are three races over 1600m, including the Listed @Worldpool Twitter Handicap, the G1 World Pool Moment Of The Day Champion Stakes and the G1 Douglas Whyte Stakes. Draws 1-6 are optimum. Horses drawn wider can often be caught out wide.

Two races over 1200m which are the G2 World Pool with Gold Circle Debutante and the G1 Mercury Sprint, and one race over 1000m which is the Listed LHKIR in December Umngeni Handicap. In sprints 1200m to 1000m wide draws are less significant as runners can be aimed at the apex of the turn.

For the featured G1 HKJC Champions Cup over 1800m, the field will have a short stretch run to the first turn. The 2000m G2 Riding High Together 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 World Pool 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.

Last year’s Champions Cup was conducted at good going turf track. JET DARK, was back to defend his crown and was supported as hot favourite. JET DARK once again unleashed a powerful drive down the lane, and won the race at 1 minute and 50.2 seconds, with KOMMETDIEDING as second and ASTRIX as third.

The long-range weather forecast is for a cool sunny day with a stiff Northeasterly headwind in the straight. There is no rain predicted in the week leading up to the day and the track going should be Good.

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