TOTE betting opened on Monday for the R1-million Ladbrokes Gold Cup over 3200m at Greyville on Saturday. 

The Gold Cup is a tricky event with several runners holding strong winning claims, but punters chances of being in the payout queue after SA racing’s premier marathon event have been boosted by the fact that TAB will again be paying to sixth place – as was the case with the Durban July earlier this month.

Vettel, Gold Cup. (Gold Circle).

Betting World’s betting on the four Grade 1 races at the meeting:

R1-million Ladbrokes Gold Cup: 9-2 BLAKE; 5-1 VETTEL; 11-2 GORONGOSA; 6-1 KOLKATA; 10-1 ILSANPIETRO, SAGE THRONE, SEAL; 14-1 AND UPWARDS OTHERS.

R700,000 Champions Cup: 5-1 CHESALON, SOLO TRAVELLER; 11-2 WHITELINE FEVER; 7-1 CASTLETHORPE; 8-1 ENGLISH GARDEN, GOLD ONYX, PIERRE JOURDAN; 10-1 MASTER PLAN; 14-1 AND UPWARDS OTHERS.

R500,000 Premier’s Champion Stakes: 22-10 BLACK TOGA; 3-1 WAR HORSE; 6-1 SHIMMER AND SHINE; 8-1 HEAVENISARACEHORSE, THE HANGMAN; 10-1 ACT FAST; 12-1 LOVE STRUCK; 14-1 AND UPWARDS OTHERS.

R500,000 Thekwini Stakes: 11-10 STRAIGHT SET; 2-1 ALL IS SECRET; 7-1 KING’S TEMPTRESS; 8-1 FIRE WHEEL; 14-1 AND UPWARDS OTHERS.