A fantastic programme of superior thoroughbred racing with all
the glitz and glamour of the biggest racing and fashion "parade"
in the Western Cape is what awaits the 50 000 people that will
flock to the picturesque Kenilworth Racecourse for the 2007
J&B Met on Saturday.
The R2-million, Grade 1 race over 2 000m is the highlight of
the annual summer fun and fashion festival that draws racing
enthusiasts from all parts of Southern Africa and from overseas.
Here they will soak up the electric atmosphere of thundering
hooves and head-turning outfits of the beautiful people who
bask in the glorious sunshine under the majestic Table Mountain.
For the Western Cape it is the social occasion of the year
and, as the thoroughbreds battle it out on the turf, the thousands
will line the track and scream their fancies home, then celebrate
their success or failure in great party style right through
into the night.
The 10-race programme for the day is headed by one of South
Africa's most famous events, the J&B Met, that dates back
more than 200 years to when British soldiers competed in races
to impress the ladies of the Cape Colony.
Famous originally as the "Metropolitan" but as the
J&B Met for the past 30 years, the race brings together
the cream of the country's handicappers in a classic 2 000m
battle that has been won by such great horses as Yataghan, Sledgehammer,
Gatecrasher, Politician, Foveros, Wolf Power, Empress Club,
London News and Horse Chestnut.
On Saturday, with the scratching of Equal Image, 15 of the
country's best will go head to head and, while Pocket Power
is the favourite, the race is seen as far more open than that.
The "big race" is supported by two other Grade 1
events, the R400 000 Fancourt Majorca Stakes over 1 600m for
fillies and the R500 000 Investec Cape Derby over 2 000m where
the champions of the future will bid for classic honours.
The meeting is packed with outstanding racing and a total of
161 horses, including the emergency acceptors, have been carded.
This will ensure exciting racing from the start of the meeting
to the finish with the final battle being that of the big-chested
stayers in the R200 000, Grade 2 J&B Reserve Stayers Handicap
over the marathon distance of 2 800m.
For the true blue lovers of the thoroughbred, the cut and thrust
of the racing will be the main attraction but for thousands
their eyes will be darting from one stunning outfit to another
as the ladies and gents, preened to the eyeballs, wander among
the crowds or seek out the judges in the J&B Most Elegant
Couple Competition presented by Canderel.
There are huge prizes for those considered by the judges to
have best interpreted the black, white and bling theme of the
day.
In addition to live music and dance entertainment throughout
the day, South Africa's top acoustic rock band, Flatstanley,
will end the day's proceedings with an hour-long session from
the main stage. The concert is part of Levi's Original Music
Programme and will start after the last race at 6.45 pm and
continue through to 8pm.
But, with parties raging in the various function areas and
the many marquees in the hospitality village, it will be many
hours before the quiet again settles on Kenilworth.