[GALLERY + VIDEOS]: Fever hits the Peermont Emperors Palace Charity Mile at Turffontein Racecourse

The Charity Mile was held on November 3 where 16 horses made it through the field to win big for their 16 charities.

November 6, 2018

Annette van Schalkwyk 2 minutes read

DASHING to the finishing line, Coral Fever, with jockey Muzi Yeni in the saddle, won the Grade 2 Peermont Emperors Palace Charity Mile at Turffontein Racecourse.

The Charity Mile was held on November 3 where 16 horses made it through the field to win big for their 16 charities.

Yeni just managed to stretch Coral Fever at the finish line to snatch up a thrilling win in front of a packed crowd to bag a whopping R150 000 for his charity, Khangezile Primary School. The proud celebrity, Pallance Dladla, gave them a shout out for their efforts at the barriers next to the finish line.

WINNING OWNERS: RA chairperson Michael Leaf hands over the winning trophies to Sylvia Vrska and Colin Bird during the Peermont Emperors Palace Grade 2 Charity Mile at Turffontein Racecourse on November 3.
Photo: Annette van Schalkwyk

The Robbie Sage-trained gelding was among eight of the 16 horses bundled towards the finish line and still all with a winning chance within the final 100m of the 1 600m race. Seasoned jockey Yeni got 18-1 shot Coral Fever’s nose down in front, with Tilbury Fort (7-1), media partner Kempton Express, the unlucky loser with champion jockey Lyle Hewitson on his back.

WINNING CHARITY: Khangezile Primary School representative Themba Vamda receives the winning cheque with celebrity Pallance Dladla during the Peermont Emperors Palace Grade 2 Charity Mile at Turffontein Racecourse on November 3.
Photo: Annette van Schalkwyk

Doosra was a short-head further back in third and a plucky Arctica in fourth.

Reigning 2018 Highveld Horse of the Year Coral Fever started at gate 15, which is, by all means, a disadvantage at Turffontein over 1 600m.

WATCH:

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Yeni was content with keeping him in the middle slightly behind while Champagne Haze upfront with Full Mast, Captain Aldo, New Predator, Infamous Fox and Arctica in pursuit.

LONELY RUN: Winning horse Coral Fever with jockey Muzi Yeni in the saddle doing the warm-up lap before the main race during the Peermont Emperors Palace Grade 2 Charity Mile at Turffontein Racecourse on November 3.
Photo: Annette van Schalkwyk

But it was Coral Fever who stole the honours in the end, winning the R1-million in prize money and claiming a seventh career win from 23 starts, with his earnings well over the R4-m mark.

DRESSED IN GOLD: Thandy Matlala and well-known world boxing champion from the South Hekkie Budler poses with one of Emperors Palace golden guards during the Peermont Emperors Palace Grade 2 Charity Mile at Turffontein Racecourse on November 3.
Photo: Annette van Schalkwyk

All 16 charities were, however, winners, receiving their cheques on the day supported by their 16 celebrities and media partners of which Caxton South’s newspapers, Alberton Record, Southern Courier and Comaro Chronicle were part and parcel.