July glamour has wafted into Durban and there aren’t enough superlatives for the outfits and sleek race horses that will grace Greyville Racecourse today for the Hollywoodbets Durban July. Thula Sindi designed Raksha Gurupersad’s flowing blue dress and repeated the ‘Ride the Wave’ theme in the outfit worn by Siphamandla Mchunu. Double Superlative, drawn 16, is a five-year-old trained by Justin Snaith and will be ridden in the big race today by Daniel Muscutt. | CANDIESE LENFERNA Lenferna Media
Durban — Africa’s biggest horse-racing extravaganza has attracted people from across the continent to Greyville for the annual Hollywoodbets Durban July.
With R5 million up for grabs, the excitement is palpable. It is even more memorable because it might be the last race hosted by Gold Circle after Hollywoodbets made an offer to buy the struggling company earlier this year. That decision is expected in about September as the Competition Commission deliberates on the matter.
The marquees were set up earlier this week, the music has started pumping and the fashionistas are here in their glad rags, designed for this year’s Ride the Wave theme.
With 45 000 visitors estimated to be in the city for the event, organisers say the local hospitality industry should have a bumper weekend.
eThekwini Municipality’s Economic Development and Planning Committee chairperson, councillor Thembo Ntuli, said the event had several positive spinoffs for the local economy.
“The direct spend is estimated at R271m, with a total R670m contribution to the eThekwini GDP and a total number of 5 000 jobs to be created,” he said.
Nine of those who are part of the City’s Durban Fashion Fair programme will showcase the latest fashion trends. The models parading the clothes are from the City’s model scout programme.
Since early morning, metro police officers have been on hand to ensure the smooth running of traffic as some streets will be cordoned off during the event.
Ntuli said the metro officers would work with other law enforcement agencies and all intersections would be managed for traffic control.
It’s a big day for jockey Rachel Venniker, 22, looking set to leave her mark on history as the first female to compete. Last year she had an accident a week before the event, which ruled her out.
“We were in the stalls, nearly ready for the gate to open, when my filly just reared up and I hit my head on the top of the gate. They said it was whiplash and I was booked off for two weeks. I was devastated,” she said.
Venniker suffered a few heart-stopping moments again this week when her horse, Without Question, was confirmed as a late scratching. However, she will now ride first reserve Hluhluwe, who also inherits Without Question’s plum draw of 3. Both horses are trained by Justin Snaith and are owned by Nick Jonsson.
Independent on Saturday