(Media Release)

21 January 2003

 

Notwithstanding that the original date of 14 February 2004, was set for Cape Town to re-commence racing activities, indications from Trainers are that a lot of horses are forward in their work and would be able to race earlier. To this end Gold Circle has invited nominations for a racemeeting to be held on Sunday, 8 February 2004, at Kenilworth Racecourse.

Additionally, to celebrate the recommencement of racing in this centre and in recognition of the hardships that have resulted in the cessation of racing, particularly for Owners, Trainers and Jockeys, the racemeetings scheduled for Saturday, 13 March 2004 and Saturday, 3 April 2004 will be treated as feature days and will showcase a graded race programme to support the days activities.

The meeting of the 13 March 2004, will be headed by the Grade 1 Queen’s Plate over a distance of 1600m, and carrying a stake of R300 000, with support races coming in the form of the Grade 1 Breeders Cup Paddock Stakes over 1800 metres with a purse of R200 000 and the Western Province Owners and Trainers Association Peninsula Handicap over 1800 metres and staked at R150 000.

The meeting of the 3 April 2004, that of J&B Met day, will include on it’s programme the R300 000 Cape Flying Championship (WFA) Grade 1 over 1000m, the R225 000 Fancourt Majorca Stakes (WFA) Grade 1 over 1600m, and the R200 000 J&B Reserve Stayers Handicap Grade 2 over 2 800m, all of which will support the R1,5 million J&B Met Grade 1 over 2000m.

All racemeetings during the months of February, March and April will be held at Kenilworth Racecourse with the exception of two midweek days, that of 6 and 13 April which will be held at Durbanville Racecourse.

Regrettably, the classic events including the Argus Guineas and the Graham Beck Wines Derby have had to be shelved as there is no date available within the seasonal time allocated the Cape but does allow for racing in this region to review and enhance its Winter programme.

For further information, please contact: Mr Brian Berrill, Regional Manager, Gold Circle Racing : Western Cape - Tel. No. (021) 700 1600

Issued by: 
Gill Simpkins
Communications Officer