Glory on a grey day at Turffontein racecourse
The first leg of the SASCOC Triple Crown took place over the weekend.
ON a grey day the smiles were big in the Geoff Woodruff stable as he walked away with a double at SASCOC SA Triple Crown, which was held on Saturday March 1.
Turffontein Racecourse saw the first of the three events on a rainy day, when virtually none of the favourites made it first over the finishing line.
Jockey Robbie Fradd on Louis The King won the R1-million Betting World Gauteng Guineas over 1 600m, as well as the Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng Fillies Guineas on Arcetri Pink to hand Woodruff his double.
The conditions were very tough throughout as the track got softer with every race as the day went on. As the Guineas were run the inside of the track was cut and the barrier moved to bring the horses wide into the straight, which gave an advantage to the good draw.
Louis The King, as with the case of Arcetri Pink, came in front of the field, a surprise to many attending, finishing well in front of the late charges.
A total weight of 1100kg of queen prawns were sold at the Joburg Prawn Festival held at Turffontein Racecourse despite poor weather. Among the variety of activity on course, race goers were thrilled by the spectacular VW Polo Vivo giveaways at the first leg of the SASCOC Triple Crown and Wilgerbosdrfit Triple Tiara.
“The combination of top South African racing, the Johannesburg Prawn Festival and the car promotion is a definite winner,” said Phumelela Marketing Executive Clyde Basel. “We are aware that a day at the races needs to thrill a variety of ages and today’s combination worked, obviously wet weather is not in the favour of an outdoor event such as this, but overall we were most satisfied with the day”
Turnovers for the Turffontein race meeting from a SAFTOTE perspective grew by a very pleasing 17 per cent year on year. “This was great to see, we put on an exciting betting menu and TAB is impressed with the increase,” said Betting Director Vee Moodley.
Race goers certainly enjoyed the value of the day spent at Turffontein race course, as the prices couldn’t be beaten of the delicious prawns that were sold and live entertainment for the kids and their parents. Organisers did not charge an entry fee and the giving didn’t stop there as ten lucky finalists were drawn to win one of the three VW Polo Vivo’s that are being given away at each leg of the Triple Crown.
The next two legs of the Triple Crown run at Turffontein on Saturday March 29 and Saturday April 26 and promise to offer as much excitement as the first leg did! There are two more cars up for grabs and entry is free!
