THE first nominations for the R2-million Sansui Summer Cup (Grade 1) to be run at Turffontein on Saturday 27 November 2010 close on Monday 20 September at 11am and owners and trainers need to be aware of the revised entry/declaration dates and fees’ structure.

First entries are now free of charge (20 September) while second entry fee (1 November) is now R2,000 plus VAT instead of R4,000 plus VAT. The final entry (15 November) fee is R10,000 plus VAT instead of R6,000 plus VAT.

The final entry stage is clearly for any really late buy-ins as the date of final entry is now on the same day as final declarations.

Patrick Davis.

The declaration fee has been increased from R10,000 plus VAT to R15,000 plus VAT. The barrier draw and final field announcement takes place unchanged on 16 November 2010.

”The purpose of these changes is to encourage trainers to enter their horses – and declare their hands at an early stage as to their Summer Cup hopes – at the first entry stage without incurring a fee,”’ explained Patrick Davis, Racing Executive of Phumelela. (photo).

”The second entry stage is also less onerous than before, with the increase in fees applying to those that basically actually get a run for the R2-million stake.”

Davis commented that knowing how the trainers were thinking early on, also helped with the marketing of the event.

The new move has been applauded by champion trainer Mike de Kock. ”I think it’s the most innovative move in a while. It is something that favours owners and will create a lot of interest.

”This step by Phumelela and Patrick Davis is forward thinking. Trainers will put in horses they believe have potential without incurring huge costs.”

He also slammed the rule in KwaZulu-natal where owners had to pay R6,000 for first entries into the Vodacom Durban July. ”There were 67 nominations and only 20 could run. That means 47 owners did their money in cold blood. The July nomination rules, as they currently stand, is penalising owners. There is no way that three month before the race you should be putting in R6,000. I am vehemently opposed to it!

”I also can’t accept that the owners’ association put up with it. What Gold Circle is doing is absolutely outrageous.”

He added that the system now being introduced by Phumelela was used effectively all over the world.

”Quite honestly to pay 1% (of the prize money) to run in a R2-million race is a no-brainer, especially when you’re paying prize money up to position eight,” said De Kock.