Charl Pretorius, the Phumelela Tipster in the Citizens
Racing Express has won the first prize in the National Tipster competition
run jointly by Gold Circle and Phumelela on graded races throughout
South Africa.
He maintained the lead he had held for some weeks and finished
the season with 296 points to win the R60 000 first prize.
Johan Stassen of The Herald also maintained his strong run to finish
in second place for the R30 000 prize with 278 points.
Damian Patterson of the Pretoria News put in a strong late run
scoring top points of 24 on All Stars Day last Saturday to move
from fifth into third place on 266 points and will receive the R10
000 third prize in the competition.
The official handover of the winning cheques will take place on
Saturday, 7 August, at the Canon Gold Cup. The 2004/05 competition
will be announced at the same time.
The final log:
1 Phumelela Tipsters The Citizen (Racing Express) 296
2 Johan Stassen The Herald 278
3 Damien Paterson Pretoria News 274
4 Monty Mariemuthoo Top Turf (Bobby Bean) 266
5 Andrew Harrison The Witness 263
6 Chad Cooke Daily News 262
7 Etienne Louw Beeld 253
8 Chris Ntuli Ilanga 248
9 Gold Circle Tipsters Official Racecard 247
10 Phumelela Tipsters Computaform 246
11 Richard McMillan Mercury 242
12 Harold Sterley The Star 232
13 Matthew Lips Winning Form 220
14 Eric Beyleveld Superform (Clocker Riley) 215
15 Ronald Madikane Daily Sun 202
16 Des Cooney UmAfrica (Gonondo Omplophe) 199
17 Lionel Derbyshire Sowetan 192
Gold Circle and Phumelela would like to take this opportunity to
thank all the tipsters for their enthusiastic participation this
year and look forward to their continued support in the new competition.