The 2000 metres of Kenilworth turf for South Africa’s greatest
summer racing event, the R2-million Grade 1 J&B Met, is
in superb condition. When they break from the pens at 16:20
on Saturday, January 27, racing enthusiasts can expect excellent
racing conditions.
The new course track on which the 10 events of the annual Cape
racing and fashion extravaganza will take place is undergoing
a comprehensive maintenance programme that will provide the
country’s top thoroughbreds competing on the day with a perfect
galloping surface.
Recent meetings in the Western Cape have been run on the old
course at Kenilworth to enable Racing Services Manager Eddie
Luff and his team to prepare the surface.
Speaking yesterday (Tuesday), the highly experienced and respected
course manager said the programme was going extremely well and
the track would be in perfect condition on the day.
“We have had to do quite a bit of remedial work as a result
of weather changes. We have replaced a number of sections with
what we call deep sods and they have knitted nicely.
“The winter grass is a problem here but we have taken it up
and replaced it with grass from other areas of the track.”
He said two surfaces on the whole bend would be used on the
day. For the early races the rail would be in one position but
that would be moved for the feature races allowing the runners
to race on a new surface.
Other preparations for the day were well advanced with rails
on the old course being removed to accommodate the public areas
and picnic sites for the big day when a crowd in excess of 50
000 is expected.