The national racecard is a joint venture between the country’s two licensed horseracing and betting operators, Phumelela and Gold Circle, and will be managed and produced by Phumelela’s Marketing and Communications Division.

The national racecard will be a multi-meeting racing guide and will be published twice a week in an upgraded format of the current Computaform Express.

The weekend edition will contain all fields for Friday, Saturday and Sunday race meetings in South Africa. The midweek edition will carry the runners and form for all South African race meetings from Monday to Thursday.

Key features of Computaform Express include a seven-run history for each horse, Computaform ratings, tips and suggested permutations for all race meetings.

The national racecard will be launched at a special introductory price of R10, which will later be increased to R15. Thus, for only R20 a week initially, and later R30, horseplayers will be able to get detailed form for all race meetings in South Africa every week.

Given the quality and quantity of information, the new publication will offer unparalleled value for horseracing fans.

Computaform Express will be recognised as the official racecard by the National Horseracing Authority from 1 February next year.

It will replace the official racecard currently produced by Gold Circle in KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape.

The operators’ decision to create one national publication aims to eliminate the duplication of resources and costs arising from Phumelela and Gold Circle producing separate racecards, with the savings being passed on to horseplayers.

The publication has been designed to support horseracing sponsorship packages and will enable exposure of sponsors’ brands on a national basis for the first time in South Africa.

The national racecard will be available throughout South Africa at all outlets that currently sell Computaform Express and the Gold Circle Racecard.