Following a gallop by three senior jockeys earlier Thursday morning and subsequent feedback from them, a cautionary is issued of a possible change of surface for Friday’s Fairview meeting.
The region is currently experiencing their wettest August since 2006 and the ground remains saturated despite only 10mm of rain this week.
The jockeys reported that the course still had unsafe underfoot conditions in certain areas. They were of the opinion that the race meeting would not have been completed if it took place today.
It is however sunny and breezy today, which hopefully will dry the track out sufficiently for the meeting to take place tomorrow as programmed.
There will be further gallops and an inspection of the course at 07h30 Friday morning.
This will be done in order to determine if the track has improved sufficiently overnight, in order for the meeting to take place on turf.
An announcement can be expected by 08h30 Friday morning.
- Media release by Luciano Passerini, GM of Phumelela Eastern Cape on Thursday 27 August 2020.