While it clashes with an international distraction of some proportions at the International Stadium in Yokohama 13500 km away, the Peermont Emperors Palace Charity Mile at Turffontein today will cater for Rugby World Cup final spectators via the on-course Joburg Beer Festival.
For R80 one can watch the match live on the big screen with a complimentary Heineken in hand and an abundance of entertainment from Oompah bands and Irish dancing – and even some real live horseracing.
The Charity Mile, formerly the November Handicap, dates back to 1963 when it was run as the Lion Export Stakes at Germiston Racecourse. The latter was subsequently renamed Gosforth Park and closed as a racing venue in 2001. In 1971 the mile contest was run as the Germiston December Handicap, but since then has taken place in November with its traditional date since 1999 being the first Saturday of the month.
Sixteen charities are each paired with a runner and a celebrity to battle it out for a share of R1 million. The winning charity receives a cheque for R150 000, second place R100 000 and the remaining 14 charities receiving proportionate amounts of the total depending on their allocated horses’ overall placement.
Gates open at 10h00 and entrance on to the racecourse is free.
The Rugby World Cup final starts at 11h00 and the first race is off at 13h00.
The exotic bets list on the day:
Race 2: BiPot ONE Leg 1 – likely pool R400,000
Race 3: PA Leg 1 – likely pool R1,000,000
Race 4: Pick 6 MEGAPOOL Leg 1 – R2,000,000 carryover; likely pool R10,000,000
Race 5: Jackpot ONE Leg 1 likely pool R1,000,000
Race 7: BiPot TWO Leg 1 – likely pool R150,000
Race 9: Jackpot TWO Leg 1 likely pool R600,000
The false rail is set at 3m on the back straight to 7, 5m on the bend, with a 7,5m spur at the 700m mark
First-timer / Rested horses comments:
1 13:00 – SUMMER AT THE PALACE AT EMPERORS PALACE MAIDEN PLATE
3 MOODIES WELL C Binda: Will be green
5 BERGERAC S G Tarry: Should run well if not too far
6 CORVETTE CAPTAIN J J van Vuuren: Smart horse, bred for further.
11 NAVARONE’S OWN T Spies: Will be green but has ability
12 POR UNA CABEZA (ARG) C Dawson: May need the experience
13 POWER SHOT C Spies: Hoping to find the money if not green
14 PRINCE EVLANOFF A G Laird: Nice horse, green, include in the quartet
15 RAMPAGE A Nassif: No comment given
16 SKORPIOS P F Matchett: Will need the run
19 UNLEASHED POWER G J Maroun: Will need the run
2 13:40 – THE BEE GEES NIGHT FEVER TRIBUTE SHOW AT EMPERORS PALACE MAIDEN PLATE
4 GREEN GUNSTON A Nassif: No comment given
9 DUKE’S GAME W H Marwing: Will need the run
11 GABREIRA M F De Kock: Should need further
12 GREAT WARRIOR G J Maroun: Will need the run
14 JOZI HUSTLE C Binda: Will be green but could scrape into place
15 MOHICAN (ARG) J J van Vuuren: Smart horse, bred for further.
17 ELETTRA G J Maroun: Will need the run
18 ENCORE S G Tarry: Should be running on well
20 SAVING GRACE R R Magner: Nice filly, will need more ground
3 14:20 – THE GARDEN OF LIGHTS AT EMPERORS PALACE MAIDEN PLATE (F & M)
1 WILD THOUGHTS S M Naidoo: No comment given
11 LOVE TO GIVE D Nieuwenhuizen: Will need the experience.
4 15:02 – THE ROOFTOP OLYMPUS SKY BAR AT EMPERORS PALACE MAIDEN PLATE
3 TYRUS EXPRESS A Nassif: No comment given
13 IMPERIOUS DUKE G V Woodruff: Rested due to vaccination program, is fit, done two grass gallops
10 18:50 – GOLDEN LOOM HANDICAP (Listed)
8 WILLIAM THE SILENT R R Sage: No comment given
16 GREAT SHAKA G J Maroun: Will need the run
12 19:55 – JAVA HANDICAP (Listed)
2 ATYAAB (AUS) M F De Kock: Not at peak fitness but can be competitive
- Comments by Phumelela Publishing
