The race is on at Turffontein

LOUIS The King has been entered into the R2-million President’s Champions Challenge and will have a challenge of a full field to contest the SA Derby.

The R2-million SA Derby, the third leg of the SASCOC Triple Crown, will take place at Turffontein on Saturday April 26.

All together 16 runners have been nominated for the Grade 1 race over the 2 450m. The SA Derby is one of four Grade 1 races to be run on Champions Day. The others are the R2-million President’s Champions Challenge, the Computaform Sprint, the Wilgerbosdrift SA Oaks and the SA Nursery.

Louis The King is heading for his third win after winning the first two legs, the Betting World Gauteng Guineas and SA Classic, and will become only the second horse in South African history to achieve it. The other was Horse Chestnut in 1999.

Mike de Kock and Sean Tarry have each nominated four runners, while Alec Laird has entered three. De Kock has included Umgiyo, Taarish, Gone Baby Gone and Ilitshe, who has won his last two races over 1 950m in KwaZulu-Natal.

Tarry has nominated Fort Bellini, Mercado, Sabre Tooth and Supertube. Laird has put in the ever-consistent As You Like, Bouclette Top and Earl Of Derby.

Speedy filly Via Africa has been entered to run in the Grade 1 Computaform Sprint over 1 000m. The Duncan Howell’s trained four-year-old ran in this event last year and finished a 1.25-length second behind What A Winter.

De Kock has nominated both unbeaten two-year-olds Banaadeer and Majmu for the Grade 1 SA Nursery over 1 160m. The filly Majmu has also been nominated for the SA Fillies Nursery, so De Kock has left his options open.

Declarations close at 11:00 on Wednesday April 16, and the Draw will take place on Thursday April 17 at Turffontein Racecourse.

The much anticipated annual Intercontinental Village Day will also take place on Saturday April 26.

Race goers should be prepared to have their taste buds do some of the racing – from continent to continent that is – as the traditional foods of a variety of countries will be sold at trackside stalls throughout the day. Each country will also be represented through an array of colourful crafts, costumes and live on-stage entertainment, making for a hugely festive day at the races.

Live entertainment from the traditions of South Africa, Portugal, China and Scotland and more will be performed on stage between races and is sure to get everyone that’s trackside up on their feet.

It’s a fun-filled day for all including the little ones, with not only the atmosphere of all the trackside stalls and music, but a mechanical bull, slides, a rock wall and a jumping castle all at their fingertips to ensure it’s a fun day out for all.

VW Polo Vivo’s give-away

The third leg of the SASCOC Triple Crown will see organisers giving away one of three VW Polo Vivo’s to one lucky race goer. Entry into the competition is free, and all you need to do is be on course to stand a chance of winning!

Phumelela Gaming’s National Marketing Manager Michael Varney said, “It is thrilling to see the growth of the crowd attendance over the first two legs of the Triple Crown. This is due to the full race day experience we aim to achieve for all ages, and fortunately it seems to be working.”

A total of R150 000 will be donated by Phumelela Gaming to the various charities which have been selected to partake on the day.

So get ready for an exciting day at Johannesburg’s premier racing destination and prepare for a day of great racing, food, entertainment and culture!

Gates open at 11:00, entry and parking is free.