PHUMELELA MEDIA RELEASE-Turffontein lights tested

PHUMELELA MEDIA RELEASE
SUBJECT: Turffontein lights tested
DATE: Tuesday 3 November 2009
RELEASED BY: Phumelela Gaming and Leisure Limited

The new floodlights at Turffontein were tested under racing conditions for the first time on Monday, when six horses participated in a mock race down the straight.

The trial went off smoothly, although there’s much fine tuning to be carried out before the lights are raced under for the first time at the Peermont Emperors Palace Charity Mile meeting on Saturday.

Piere Strydom was one of the six jockeys who kindly gave of their time to ride in the trial and his views were similar to those of his colleagues.

“The lights will be great but we could not race under them as they are at the moment. They need to be adjusted to eliminate the shadows being cast across the track in some areas and which my horse kept hesitating from. The pull-up area also needs to be brighter,” he said.

Another issue raised was the shadows cast by the distance markers on the outside of the straight. These are to be shortened and moved further away from the running rail to rectify the problem.

The lighting contractors are fine tuning the aiming of the lights, which will be tested again on Thursday evening.

So a bit nip and tuck and we are in luck

PHUMELELA MEDIA RELEASE
SUBJECT: Turffontein facelift
DATE: Tuesday 3 November 2009
RELEASED BY: Phumelela Gaming and Leisure Limited

The finishing touches are being applied to a R2-million project to facelift Turffontein in time for the start of night racing and the R600,000 Peermont Emperors Palace Charity Mile at the Johannesburg track this Saturday.
Turffontein has been a hive of activity in recent weeks and racegoers at Charity Mile will see a huge improvement in both the overall appearance of the grandstand and specific areas within it that were targeted for makeovers.
The traditional, and cold, blue-and-white colour scheme has been replaced by an elegant, and warmer, charcoal and white with railings painted in black. The new colour scheme matches the decor of the deck on the first level of the grandstand that was installed last year.
The area under the grandstand near the winning post that previously housed a line of tote windows has been revamped to create a stylish betting hall with TV screens, modern lighting, a bar and cocktail tables installed on selected grandstand girders.
One set of steps down from the grandstand has been removed to open up the area and the tarmac in front of the grandstand to the east been replaced by grass. The tote board and grandstand steps have been repainted and the facade of the private boxes has been changed to match the rest of the complex.
The back of the grandstand in line with the Turf Club street entrance has also undergone a facelift, while the Centenary Room and the foyer adjoining it have been refurbished. Other elements of the facelift include enhancing the floors of the balconies outside the Aquanaut Room and the Centenary, while 16 additional holding boxes have been built to accommodate horses having to be on track earlier for night racing than is the case with daylight fixtures.

Cant wait, plus we have a runner, ok not ready has to grow, but as they say in the song "I got a feelin"

with Charity Mile, Breeders Cup etc, etc

Its going to be a good good night!

At last it is happening! Been a longer running saga than Dallas but the wait is almost over. And what a day to start - Breeders Cup. Now we just need the weather to play ball!

Magic you mean What a night to start?

Daytime, nighttime, anytime!

I remember the Newmarket night racing with extreme fondness!!!

I hope you guys have a great time under the lights on Saturday and in the future!!!

Hope I get back to visit sometime and come night racing for sure!!!

Just seen the card What a cracking day,and hopefully the boys can win the r2r and the lights go smooth...

now that you have seen the lights working...
what offers...
lights individually...
copper cables.........
all together as bulk...

better get the guards 24/7

I rememember Jean Jaffee being asked in an interview after winning one of the feature races that was run late in the evening but the days schedule had been effected by the afternoon thunder showers that Gauteng is known for. she question the logic behind racing late during the summer season.

I think the lights are great but this time of year you probably are going get quite a few meets effected by afternoon and evening rain.

But come next year will be a lot of fun.

They are considering a roof, but only for the sprints, it will be retractable


see press release April 1st.