Severe weather conditions have continued to wreak havoc in the Cape with Hollywoodbets Durbanville receiving 100mm of rain in 12 hours – almost 20% of the average annual rainfall of the past 25 years!
The rain guage overflowed at Hollywoodbets Durbanville overnight after Mother Nature had handed out some respite and relief on Saturday that allowed the Braai & Gallop raceday to be run.
“Cape Town is literally flooding everywhere right now. But we have every one of our mitigating controls in place, and can only do what we can do. Our structures are still standing and we are trying to protect what we can,” Cape Racing Chairman Greg Bortz told the Sporting Post.
Last week Cape Racing announced the innovation of Bedouin tents and covers to protect the Hollywoodbets Durbanville track.
The Milnerton Training Centre was also underwater on Monday morning, with what looked like extensive damage to the tracks.
While the forecast for the week ahead appears to suggest the prospects of improved weather, the preparation of a number of horses running in the Hollywoodbets Gr3 Matchem Stakes and Hollywoodbets Gr3 Diana Stakes on Saturday 30 September have been interrupted.
The Bubbles & Blossoms raceday on Saturday heralds the big season debut of the likes of champion Charles Dickens.
Due to the recent weather conditions, the 2023 Hollywoodbets Spring Country Series has been disrupted. Declarations for Saturday’s double feature card close at 11h00 on Tuesday.
On Sunday afternoon, the SA Weather Services issued an orange level nine warning for the region, saying rainfall in excess of 100 mm could be expected, and that full catchments might cause flooding downstream.
This was the highest weather warning level ever issued for the region.
Western Cape MEC for local government Anton Bredell warned that the downpours could result in flash floods and mudslides.
“Our dams are full, and the soil is already saturated after good rains this winter. Please take these warnings seriously and make the necessary preparations,” he added.
