Tshabalala upbeat about Charity Mile chances

Soccer presenter Carol Tshabalala yesterday warned that it’s her turn to have a winning horse at next month’s 13th edition of the Peermont Emperors Palace Charity Mile at Turffontein racetrack after eight lean years involved in the event.

Tshabalala, who is an anchor for SuperSport and Premier League Productions, was partnered with The Citizen’s soccer pullout Phakaaathi, charity School Uniform Project and six-year-old gelding Captain Aldo for the November 5 main race over 1 600m. A jockey for Captain Aldo still has to be confirmed.

The Citizen drew seven-year-old chestnut gelding No Worries, charity Highveld Horse Care Unit and TV drama High Rollers’ celebrities Vilje Maritz and Carine Rous. No Worries’ jockey is Warren Kennedy.

The race’s association with charity goes back to 2005, when Phumelela launched the concept of a race linked to charity.

Next month, the 16 chosen charities will share the R1 million in prize money, with the charity which draws the winning horse receiving R150 000, the charity represented by the runner-up R100 000 and the other 14 charities getting proportionate amounts of the total donation, depending on the allocated horse’s placement. No charity will get less than R20 000.

“I’m thrilled to be involved with the Charity Mile again,” said Tshabalala yesterday. “This is the ninth year I have been involved. I have never had a winner but feel things will change this year as I drew my lucky number eight.”

Also in the field is 2016 Durban July winner The Conglomerate and excellent “milers” Rabada, St Tropez, Mac De Lago, Champagne Haze, Mogok Master, Saratoga Dancer and New Predator.

The Citizen has enjoyed a wonderful run with the race over the years, winning with Pierre Jourdan in 2011 and Mujaarib in 2012 and finishing third with Killua Castle in 2013.