GREAT summer weather in the city of Joburg opened up the summer racing season at Turffontein racecourse hosting the Charity Mile.
It was some kind of feather in the hat for trainer Mike Azzie when Hat Puntano was steered clear of the field by jockey Grant van Niekerk to win the R1-million Grade 2 Peermont Emperors Palace Charity Mile in sensational fashion on November 4.
Photo: Annette van Schalkwyk.
To add to the flavour of winning, IBO Cruiserweight boxing champ and celebrity on the day Kevin Lerena was once again on the winning side and this time around for his charity AACL. This is the second consecutive time that Lerena backed a winning team. Last year his charity also walked away with the first prize. AACL bagged a whopping prize money of R150 000 having Caxton South – GET IT Joburg South as their media partner on the day.
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Trainer Mike Azzie was elated with this win. “He showed his true worth today. Thanks to Gaynor Rupert for putting the money down and allowing me to train him. I must also say a huge word of thanks to Bomber Nel. Hat Puntano had been hanging in his work. Bomber identified that we were using the wrong bit in work and racing,” he said.
He worked very hard to get Hat Puntano in great shape during the week. The days that counted were the two days with Nel, which brought Hat Puntano to the podium on Saturday.
Photo: Annette van Schalkwyk.
“I urge trainers in the country to use him. He came out to the training, worked out what was wrong and he corrected it. Look at the result on the podium today.”
Van Niekerk had Hat Puntano relaxed on the rail just back of midfield as Irish Pride led Top Shot and his more fancied stablemate New Predator made their presence felt. Coming into the finishing line they fanned out with New Predator placed well and Hat Puntano, still on the inside, made his move to outsmart the rest of the field and gradually made his way up the rail.
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Hat Puntano won by a 0.75 length lead over Social Order, with French Navy dashing for third ousting favourite New Predator. The winning time was 97.06 seconds for the 1 600m.
It was a thrilling day at Turffontein racecourse having the 16 horses racing for their 16 charities cheered on by the 16 celebrities and supported by the various media partners. It’s A Rush made a sterling job of creating a wonderful atmosphere at the Charity Mile boasting a full-size capacity crowd.
Photo: Annette van Schalkwyk.
Media partners from Caxton South were Alberton RECORD, Southern COURIER, Comaro CHRONICLE, GET IT Joburg South and from Caxton East were, Germiston CITY NEWS, Benoni CITY TIMES and Boksburg ADVERTISER. All their charities walked away with R50 000.
Next up at Turffontein racecourse will be the Air Mauritius International Jockey’s Challenge on November 19.
Photo: Annette van Schalkwyk.
The racing calendar at Turffontein is:
November 25: SANSUI Summer Cup
December 5: Night racing
December 12: Night racing
Photo: Annette van Schalkwyk.
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