The new-look Durbanville answered all detractors in fine style ahead of its big feature day this coming weekend, by producing an afternoon of high quality ‘fair and square’ racing on Saturday.
‘Bunching, bad, irresponsible and dangerous riding is more prevalent than ever, and front runners and well-drawn handy horses are afforded an even bigger advantage than before it was closed’
With braais, a potjiekos competition, the annual jockey dash and some great racing, head down to Durbanville on 7 October for Matchem Stakes day
Racing returned to the new–look Durbanville on Saturday with accolades from the winning jockey and trainer after a filly drawn at 14 won the first race over 1200m
‘In an environment where racecourses are being sold, Kenilworth Racing are to be applauded for spending millions of rands on the upgrade’
Of far greater service to the racing public was my announcement on one particularly dank and dreary day for anyone who had lost a set of false teeth to report to the commentary box for their collection
Gold Circle’s Andrew Harrison reflects on scholarly punting days forty years back
KZN trainer James Goodman used to travel down to Durbanville for the winter
Positive first trial run at Durbanville, but officials agree to postpone opening for grass to knit
Monday is D-Day for Durbanville when the racecourse will be used for the first time since it was closed for resurfacing ten months ago
In spite of the fact that the huge storm that buffeted Cape Town in June washed away some of the shoulders of the new track, Durbanville should still be ready to reopen for its 10-fixture spring season
The number of entries compares favourably in quantum with recent years, with 58 first entries received in 2024, 60 in 2023, 68 in 2022, 53 in 2021, 52 in 2020, 49 in 2019, and 69 in 2018
Ironically, it was a colt which provided Alan with a first Gr1 success, this being Alec and Gillian Foster’s homebred Cereus, who landed the 2001 Gold Cup at Hollywoodbets Greyville, his victory completing a momentous double on the day, with the Gr2 Golden Slipper having gone the way of juvenile filly Tatler, a great-great-great grandaughter of Sun Lass!
JP van der Merwe is not the only guilty party in the matter. In simple terms, he is the only rider to have exercised the NHA’s offer of an Acknowledgement Of Guilt and moved on with his life
Andrew Fortune made it three winners on the Family Day public holiday as Tenango breezed home to win the Gr3 feature
