Recap of our 2024 Gold Cup Day Winning Bets
- Race 2 – JUST RECKLESS EW @ 9/1✅ EW Win
- Race 3 – CATS PAJAMAS EW @ 9/1✅ EW Win
- Race 4 – FATAL FLAW EW @ 17/1✅ EW Place
- Race 5 – THE SPECIALIST EW @ 12/1✅ EW Place
- Race 6 – SURJAY EW @ 14/1✅ EW Win
- PICK 6 – R5400 returned R168 858✅
- JACKPOT 1 – R900 returned R3860.30✅
- JACKPOT 2 – R750 returned R8718✅
2024 Gold Cup Day
The grand finale of the 2024 KZN Champions Season concludes on Sunday with the Gold Cup Day at Hollywoodbets Greyville. The 2024 KZN season was filled with many amazing feats and success stories. There is no better way to end the season than the Gold Cup Day. The second biggest KZN racing day after the Durban July, we can expect plenty of betting, fashion, and winners.
For this year’s event, the team at Topbets has made things easy for punters, and we have compiled an in-depth preview of the card. From Race 1 to 10, including the two big events in Races 7 and 8, we have got you covered.
Horse Racing Betting Guide
How often have you placed a horse bet on Gold Cup Day, only to realise you took the wrong type of bet? It is a common mistake many make, so you should learn the rules first to give you a headstart for the big day. Before betting, read and pass your Horse Racing Betting 101 Module.
Hollywoodbets Punters Challenge
We understand not everyone may have the funds to place bets for the Gold Cup. However, everyone can still try their luck and win some money without paying for anything, thanks to the Hollywoodbets Punters Challenge. The 2024 Hollywoodbets Gold Cup Punters Challenge has an R2.70 million jackpot for the big day!
So while studying your bets, don’t forget to play at Hollywoodbets and stake your claim in the free-to-play Hollywoodbets Punters Challenge. If you are unfamiliar with the Hollywoodbets Punters Challenge, our team at Topbets has compiled an in-depth Punters Challenge article covering everything about the popular predictor game, so make sure you read it and use our tips to climb the leaderboard and win the millions.
2024 Gold Cup Day Predictions and Suggested Bets
This year, thanks to the World Pool, the exotics and all other tote pools will be inflated, and massive jackpots will be offered. Some things to keep in mind when betting:
- Remember, anyone can tip all the favourites to win every race, but then the payouts won’t be big.
- We are here to help all punters and will provide both bankers and value bets. It does not matter if a horse is 2/1 or 20/1; if we find the horse while studying, we will mention it to you.
- We encourage readers to use our analysis, predictions, and suggested bets when structuring their bets.
- Since the pools are so large, you can expect payouts to run in the thousands, so take percentages in your exotics.
- You don’t need to break the bank to bet on Gold Cup Day; even a 10% share of a ticket can return you 10 000x your stake.
- Finally, please play responsibly and only with money you can afford to lose.
If you are following our tips and placing bets today, good luck, and hopefully, it’ll be a winning day for all. Right, it is time for the talking to stop and for us to get down to the analysis, predictions, and suggested bets for the big day.
Note: Betting odds are correct at the time of writing, but odds are subject to change.
Race 1: 1600m – Listed Open
The opening race on the card is quite competitive, and the betting is not straightforward. JOKER MAN is a worthy favourite, searching for six wins on the bounce. However, the race does not stop there, and all of GET IMPRESSED, IMILENZEYOKUDUDUMA, THE GREY KING, and SUNDANCE KID have winning chances.
Suggested Value Bet – IMILENZEYOKUDUDUMA EW @ 18/1❌
Race 2: 1200m – Grade 2
The start of the Bipot and RODEO DRIVE is a short-priced favourite. She should be the one to beat, but if you are going wider in the Bipot, make sure to include SIMPLY MAJESTIC, LITTLE BALLERINA and JUST RECKLESS.
Suggested Value Bet – JUST RECKLESS EW @ 9/1✅ EW Win
Race 3: 1200m – Grade 2
It’s an interesting race here, with the betting suggesting it’s a three-way battle between CHOCOLATE SOLDIER, BJORN IRONSIDE and DANTONFROMSANDTON. If you want a runner with better EW value, then you should include CATS PAJAMAS. Remember, this race is the start of the PA, so you can go narrow to survive the first leg.
Suggested Value Bet – CATS PAJAMAS EW @ 9/1✅ EW Win
Race 4: 1600m – Grade 1 (Douglas Whyte Stakes)
The start of the projected R15 million Pick 6, and what a leg to kick things off. Favourite QUID PRO QUO is a special filly, and it would not be a surprise if she wins here and jets off overseas. At the time of writing, she is 9/10 in the betting, looking for her fifth win in a row and will be a Pick 6 banker for many. If you are like me and love finding the upset in these races, then FATAL FLAW warrants inclusion.
Suggested Value Bet – FATAL FLAW EW @ 17/1✅ EW Place
Race 5: 1600m – Grade 1
Unlike in Race 4, this race is not so cut and dry, and plenty have winning chances. I suggest you go wide in the exotics and include all of THE SPECIALIST, GREAT PLAINS, COSMIC SPEED, TRUTH, VJ’S ANGEL and LEGEND OF ARTHUR.
Suggested Value Bet – THE SPECIALIST EW @ 12/1✅ EW Place
Race 6: 1200m – Grade 1 (Mercury Sprint)
I think this race is a little more open than the betting suggests. So, although LUCKY LAD is an 11/10 favourite, I would be cautious and include others in the exotics. Include AT MY COMMAND, ROYAL AUSSIE, SURJAY, GLADATORIAN and CRUISE CONTROL.
Suggested Value Bet – SURJAY EW @ 14/1✅ EW Win
Race 7: 3200m – Grade 1 (Gold Cup)
It’s the first of the two big featured races of the day, and it’s a test of stamina in the 3200m Gold Cup. FUTURE PEARL is the hot money favourite at 12/10 and will be a banker for some in the exotics. If you are playing to beat her, then I suggest you go with the field. For a value bet, I love the value of NEBRAAS. He ran a cracker on July Day and can put in another solid effort.
Suggested Value Bet – NEBRAAS EW @ 12/1❌
Race 8: 1800m – Grade 1 (HKJC Champions Cup)
The other big race on the card and what a treat for all racing fans. Based on the weight turnarounds from the 2024 Durban July, this race is SEE IT AGAIN to lose. He should win and will face some competition from DAVE THE KING and COUSIN CASEY.
However, I think the value lies with ROYAL VICTORY. He won’t beat SEE IT AGAIN on weight turnarounds, but he never runs a bad race and is always in with a chance. The four-year-old gelding has shown remarkable improvement over the past 12 months. He has developed into a top-class middle-distance racehorse and is a duel Grade 1 winner.
Suggested Value Bet – ROYAL VICTORY EW @ 8/1❌
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Race 9: 2000m – Grade 2 (Gold Bracelet)
Field, Field, Field!!!!! The final leg of the Pick 6, and I suggest you take the field. Many horses have winning chances, and I won’t be surprised if a big odds horse pulls off the upset. If you are going short in the earlier legs, then it’s smart to go wide here. For a suggested value bet, BEATING WINGS is the right one and has top form.
Suggested Value Bet – BEATING WINGS EW @ 7/1❌
Race 10: 1000m – MR Handicap
The final race of the day and the 2024 KZN Champions Season. In terms of exotics, this is the last leg of Jackpot 2, and you can get away with taking a few horses. PISTOL PETE and DREAMLAND are the top two in the betting and should fight out the finish. If you are behind in the day and need a big price winner for some get-out stakes, then have an EW bet on HITHEMHARDSUNSHINE.
Suggested Value Bet – HITHEMHARDSUNSHINE EW @ 20/1❌
Suggested Exotics Bets
Exotics bets will generate the biggest returns on the day, so it is important to structure these bets well. Remember, the more horses you add to each leg, the costlier your ticket will be. So we have provided two options for bettors: a high roller option (full cost of the ticket) and a lower option for small bankroll bettors (10% cost of the ticket). With expected jackpots over R1 million on the smallest exotics and R15+ million on the bigger exotics (Pick 6), you can still win big even with a 1% or 10% share of a ticket: the more outsiders that upset the favourites, the bigger the payouts of exotics.
Bipot (Races 2-7):
2, 4, 7
2, 6, 7
7, 12
2, 4, 9, 13
2, 13
5, 6
Total Cost of Ticket: R288
10% of Ticket: R28.80
PA (Races 3-9):
2, 6, 7
12
2, 9, 13
13
6
8, 9, 10
6, 9, 10, 13, 15
Total Cost of Ticket: R135
10% of Ticket: R13.50
Pick 6 (Races 4-9):
12
2, 3, 4, 9, 13, 14
2, 4, 5, 13
3, 5, 6
1, 6, 8, 9, 10
FIELD
Total Cost of Ticket: R5400
10% of Ticket: R540
1% of Ticket: R54
Jackpot 1 (Races 5-8):
2, 3, 4, 9, 13, 14
2, 3, 1, 4, 5, 13
1, 3, 5, 6, 11
1, 6, 8, 9, 10
Total Cost of Ticket: R900
10% of Ticket: R90
Jackpot 2 (Races 7-10):
1, 3, 5, 6, 11
1, 6, 8, 9, 10
FIELD
5, 14
Total Cost of Ticket: R750
10% of Ticket: R75
Quartet Race 7:
Floating Banker:
6
1, 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, 12, 13
Total Cost of Ticket: R1344
10% of Ticket: R134.40
1% of Ticket: R13.44
Once again, if you are following our tips and placing bets, good luck, and hopefully, it’ll be a winning day for all. Don’t forget that besides betting on the Gold Cup Day, we also provide daily horse racing predictions on all local race meetings in South Africa. Some of our other content covers Rugby, Cricket and Soccer, and we have plenty of other predictions on our site. So, browse the site for detailed betting tips and predictions.
Writer/Betting Tipster
I have been in the online casino and sports betting industry for a decade and am an avid sports bettor and fan. I have expanded my betting knowledge to create articles on the iGaming industry focusing on online casino content and sports betting analysis for several regions, including the Canadian, UK, South African, African and New Zealand markets. I cover various sports, including Soccer, Rugby, American Football, Basketball and Horse Racing. All my predictions, tips and insights are thoroughly researched and I aim to help fellow punters in beating the bookies!
