Raining In Durban?

5 JULY 2013


Rain continues to bedevil preparations for the 2013 Vodacom Durban July and the official track condition is likely to be on the heavy side. As a precautionary measure, Gold Circle has decided to abandon the first two races and the race meeting will get under way with the running of the 3rd race, the Mango 2200 (Gr3), which is also the first leg of the Place Accumulator.

In addition, the distance for Race 4, the Mercedes Benz Gold Vase, has been shortened from 3000 to 2400 metres. Gold Circle's Racing Executive, Graeme Hawkins, explained that the track cross-over at Gate 16, which facilitates the delivery of hospitality infrastructure to the infield, has been damaged to the extent to render it unsafe for the horses and as a consequence the only option was to reduce the distance of the race.

The false rail for Races 3,4,5 and 6 will be set at 14 metres and for the remainder of the programme at 9 metres. The R3,5 million Vodacom Durban July, which is due to be run at 16:20 as race 7 on the card, will thus be run on fresh ground.

SABC 3 will broadcast the events live from Greyville between 14:30 and 17:00.

Difficult to postpone, as what will happen to those that come from other provinces and countries, wrt to accomodation and flights.etc..its a catch22 situation. I feel for us punters, but at the same time VDJ is an event,not only a race meeting, so thus sponsers and GC have to do all they can2 satisfy both punters and 'jollers'

Clear Skies and Sunshine predicted for tomorrow so maybe the later start may help a bit with the going...

What a joke i believe behind the drill hall is like a beach there is no turf.

July 04, 2013 01:30PM
Registered: 6 weeks ago
Posts: 495
Weather and track suspect
for Saturday.Any rain yet in
Durbs

GC having a torrid time.Was it Gary Player that said that luck goes to the one that puts in most work or something to that effect

Wonder what the 'authorities' will say to a jockey protest this time.

maybe the track was watered ?

i recall on this forum when we were having abandoned meetings all the time at greyville that a few of us idiots suggested bringing in some type of covers for the greyville course and we were shot down from all sides ...

Sorry guys - I peed on the track when I left the golf club yesterday evening...

pirates Wrote:

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> i recall on this forum when we were having
> abandoned meetings all the time at greyville that
> a few of us idiots suggested bringing in some type
> of covers for the greyville course and we were
> shot down from all sides ...

Like cricket pitch covers .............a perfect solution

I heard an unsubstantiated rumour that the track was watered yesterday morning,even though rain was predicted.Anyone else heard this?

No truth in that rumour at all jap...starting to clear nicely now...(tu)

Justanotherpunter Wrote:

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> I heard an unsubstantiated rumour that the track
> was watered yesterday morning,even though rain was
> predicted.Anyone else heard this?

Like you say..........a rumour