The World Sports Betting Championships ups the ante this Saturday as the WSB Triple Crown and Wilgerbosdrift Triple Tiara Series concludes with a high-quality R4.33 million WSB Derby Day of thrilling Graded racing.
The stakes are high in every respect, with the race day headlined by the R1.5 million WSB SA Derby (Grade 1) for three-year-olds over 2450m, the prestigious R1 million HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes (Grade 1) over 1600m and the very special R750 000 Wilgerbosdrift Bridget Oppenheimer Oaks (Grade 2) for three-year-old fillies over 2450m.
A fun, family day is lined up at Turffontein this weekend, with fantastic racing for punters and plenty to entertain the whole family on-course.
Jumping castles, face painting, teacup carousels, miniature trains and swings will all add to the family carnival atmosphere.
While entrance is absolutely free, there is plenty of hospitality on offer at Turffontein on the day.
World Sports Betting Derby Day, however, will belong to the punters, who will have their pick of fantastic thoroughbreds on offer on this big day at the Big T.
Fresh from catching the Soweto Derby in the stands between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates, top jockey S’manga Khumalo is looking forward “to truly entertain a Derby crowd” and he will be riding African Torrent for Mike and Adam Azzie in the WSB SA Derby on horseracing’s own Derby Day.
Rachel Venniker again gets the ride on first leg WSB Gauteng Guineas winner, Eye Of The Prophet, for Paul Matchett, while the likes of Billy Bowlegs, Electric Gold, Good Council and Rule By Force are fancying their chances at WSB SA Derby glory.
Second leg WSB SA Classic winner Anfields Rocket is not in the final field for the WSB SA Derby this weekend, but will instead compete in the HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes, along with fantastic runners in Puerto Manzano, Thunderstruck, Bingwa and Red Saxon in a high-quality field.
In the Wilgerbosdrift Bridget Oppenheimer Oaks being held in honour of SA horseracing’s First Lady, Mrs O, Khumalo will again gun for glory on Wilgerbosdrift SA Classic winner Bless My Stars for Sean Tarry, with Richard Fourie riding None Other for Lucky Houdalakis and Piere Strydom continuing his swansong by riding Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng Fillies Guineas winner, Lady Of Power, for the Azzies.
“The World Sports Betting Championships season keeps delivering exceptional and exhilarating race days and we expect no less from Derby Day! World Sports Betting have come on board in a big way and we look forward to their sponsorship adding to the energy and excitement on the track as we build up to WSB Champions Day on Saturday 29 April. But until then Derby Day is going to be sizzling and we urge racegoers to come out in their numbers for what is sure to be a fantastic day of horseracing,” said 4Racing CEO, Fundi Sithebe.
Catch the action live on Racing 240 on DStv Channel 240. To take part on the day and have a stab at the big pools on offer, take a bet with TAB in-store or online at www.tab4racing.com.
Full race schedule for World Sports Betting Derby Day:
• 11h50 Race 1: 4RACING WELCOMES YOU MAIDEN PLATE over 1160m
• 12h20 Race 2: WORLD SPORTS BETTING SPINA WINA MR 93 DIVIDED HANDICAP over 2000m
• 12h55 Race 3: THE CITIZEN PINNACLE STAKES over 1000m
• 13h30 Race 4: WORLD SPORTS BETTING BET WITH THE BEST MIDDLE STAKES over 1400m
• 14h05 Race 5: EUROPA POINT MAN O' WAR SPRINT (Grade 3) over 1100m
• 14h40 Race 6: WELWITSCHIA HF OPPENHEIMER HORSE CHESTNUT STAKES (Grade 1) over 1600m
• 15h15 Race 7: WORLD SPORTS BETTING SA DERBY (Grade 1) over 2450m
• 15h50 Race 8: ILHA BELA WILGERBOSDRIFT BRIDGET OPPENHEIMER OAKS (Grade 2) over 2450m
• 16h25 Race 9: WORLD SPORTS BETTING CARADOC GOLD CUP (Grade 3) over 2850m
• 17h00 Race 10: BERRY BLAZE MR 76 HANDICAP over 1160m