Legislate rules at Vodacom Durban July
Drama unfolded at the end of the main race at this year's Vodacom Durban July.
GREYVILLE Racecourse was a windy and dramatic scene on Saturday 5 July as the 2014 Vodacom Durban July was decided in a moment of high drama following an objection being lodged against the first horse across the line.
The R3,5 million Vodacom Durban July was decided in the stipendiary stewards’ chamber after the objection was lodged against Wylie Hall by second placed Legislate. After a nerve racking wait, the objection was upheld and the Justin Snaith trained Legislate was declared the winner with Wylie Hall relegated to second, and Futura, Tellina and In The Fast Lane filling the rest of the places.
What started out as a picture-perfect, warm winter’s day in South Africa’s playground, later saw women clutching their frocks and hats as a strong south westerly wind made its presence felt midway through the afternoon’s programme.
The stiff breeze had little impact on the day’s festivities though as both the action on the track as well as the various track-side celebrations and fashion competitions kept the massive jovial crowd entertained throughout.
The Vodacom Durban July Fashion Experience got underway with the eagerly anticipated judging of the Fashion Challenge and Young Designer Awards which had already undergone a series of pre-raceday judging phases in the build up to the big day.
Daniel Paton’s 1930’s glam sci-fi creation encapsulated the day’s theme ‘The Big Screen’ perfectly and the emerging star sealed victory in the Fashion Challenge competition ahead of Sibusiswe Msimang and Ngcebo Mnyandu.
Bright young star Sadie Bosworth’s King Kong inspired ensemble, complete with a New York skyline and fighter plane fascinator, was an immediate favourite with the judges and she edged out Megan Morris and Divan Brits in the Young Designer Award.
The multiple raceday fashion competitions drew entries from numerous design enthusiasts. The Gold Circle Most Striking Couple award went to Kireshen Chetty, the best of his three top three finishings on the day while Zandile Masondo won the Gold Circle Exceptional Raceday Hat or Fascinator award for the second consecutive year.
The Gold Circle Classic Racewear Male and Female awards were clinched by Phindile Phungwayo and Nevadh Vandayan respectively as the pair’s work looked to best portray their impression of the day’s theme.
