The RA Highveld Feature Season Awards will be held on Saturday in the Aquanaut Room at Turffontein Racecourse where both the equine and human achievements during the Gauteng feature season will be revealed.
There is a different look the voting panel this year as it is made up of one handicapper and two former jockeys.
Lennon Maharaj will represent the handicappers while former champion jockey Anthony Delpech and Gunter Wrogemann are the other two members of the team.
Larry Wainstein is the non-voting chairman.
The following are the categories and nominees:
Champion two-year-old filly:
Basadi Faith, Palace of Dreams
Champion two-year-old colt/gelding:
Frosted Gold, Twilight Moon
Champion three-year-old filly:
Nafaayes, Return Flight
Champion three-year-old colt/gelding:
Hawwaam, National Park, Soqrat
Champion older horse:
Camphoratus, Pacific Trader, Tilbury Fort
Champion sprinter:
Pacific Trader, Rebel’s Champ, Van Halen
Champion middle distance horse:
Hawwaam, Soqrat
Champion stayer:
Return Flight, Samurai Warrior, Sunshine Silk
All nominees are in the running for the Champion Horse of the Season Award.
Feature season trophies are also awarded to the human achievers. These are Champion Apprentice, Champion Jockey, Champion Trainer, Champion Breeder and Champion Owner. The leading work rider is also recognised at this event.
These awards are based on performances over the Highveld season alone. In most cases points are allocated to Gr1, Gr2, Gr3 and Listed races for wins and places and once these are added up, the results are then announced.
Over recent years, special awards have been presented to a host of people who have made a worthwhile contribution to the success of the industry.