Richest horseracing event at Turffontein

THE most popular family fun day in the South, the Intercontinental Village Day, which incorporates the final leg of the Triple Crown, will go big on Saturday. South Africa’s premier horse racing event will take place on Saturday, April 30, at Turffontein Racecourse.

The gates will open at 11:00.

All the various interactive communities in the South will get together on Saturday and will be paired by a charity of their choice together with a media partner and a racing horse on the day. Caxton South, consisting of the Alberton RECORD, Southern COURIER and Comaro CHRONICLE, will each have their respective communities, charities and horses to cheer along. The draw for the R4-million Premier’s Champions Challenge took place on Wednesday, April 20, at Turffontein Racecourse.

On Saturday a total of R11-million in prize money will be at stake and it is no wonder this day is called the richest non-restricted pay-out in South Africa. This excludes the bonus of R2-million for a win of all three legs of the Triple Crown. Abashiri is on the brink to become only the third horse in history to win the R2-million South African Derby Grade One over 2 450m if he can make it through the finishing line in pole position. Only two horses, Horse Chestnut (in 1999) and Louis The King (in 2014), previously won all three legs. Abashiri won the first leg over 1 600m – the Betting World Gauteng Guineas – and the South African Classic over 1 800m. Both times he came wide to beat the other contenders from the outside.

The only question that remains is if he can stay on the 2 450m with Zimbabwean champion jockey Karl Zechner on his back. Eleven races will be run on Champions Day. Racing starts at 12:00 and will go well on into the early evening. A whopping R150 000 was donated by Phumelela for the race of the day, the R4-million Premier’s Champion Challenge Grade One race over 2 000m. This race has attracted 13 amazing horses and each of them will run for the 13 charities. At the end of the race they will receive a substantial amount of money depending on what place their horse finishes in.

Caxton South has been paired with the horse Captain America who will race for the Racing Association charity – San Michelle Home. Captain America will jump at eight to take on the strong field. Caxton South has another charity to look after, Casa Ebenezer Old Age Home and Portugal will be the community while Inara has been drawn at a wonderful gate two. This home, which opened in 2009, offers the elderly a retirement home which provides safety while meeting the emotional, physical and spiritual needs of the aged. To spice things up any spectator who enters the competition at the Turffontein Racecourse can win a trip in one of the 40 Ferraris on display. Entrance is free. For more information or bookings for Champions Day on April 30, phone 011 681 1702 or visit www.itsarush.co.za |