The good news for Western Cape trainers is that grass racecourse training gallops should be available to them again by October 20.
The trainers have been without any racecourse gallops whatsoever since about September 20 and the situation will also have an effect on breeders, who will be wanting to prepare their horses for the CTS Ready To Run Sale “breeze ups”, which are to take place on November 16 at Durbanville.
Durbanville race track
In a normal season racecourse gallops are catered for by Durbanville and on a quota basis at Kenilworth.
However, not only has Cape Town been locked in the worst drought for over a century, but the Durbanville racecourse has only recently been reopened after being relaid.
The Durbanville surface has been described as “beautiful” by trainers and although it is presently firm it is also nice and level so the horses have been pulling up well.
However, the powers that be do not want to risk putting too much pressure on the course before the grass has fully knitted.
The Kenilworth New Course was closed for scarification in September, so there have consequently been no racecourse grass training gallops available for Western Cape trainers since September 20.
However, the situation is under review by Phumelela in unison with Kenilworth Racing’s racecourse manager Dean Diedericks.
Phumelela’s Racing Executive Clyde Basel was optimistic that the quota gallop system would be re-opened at Kenilworth on October 20.
The quota system at Kenilworth allows each trainer a certain number of gallops with a view to being able to prepare graded class horses.
Basel was also confident gallops at Durbanville could start happening again on October 22, following the last race meeting there on October 18.
Basel believed Diedericks would be able to scarify Durbanville in stages, which would allow the gallops at Durbanville to be reopened on the aforementioned date.
Grass gallops are viewed as vital by some trainers in order to bring a horse to its peak for a race.
Meanwhile, Cape Thoroughbred Sales’ new CEO Wéhann Smith is in discussions with Diedericks and Kenilworth Racing regarding preparation opportunities for breeders before the CTS Ready To Run Sale, which is presented by Lanzerac Hotel and Spa.
Smith said that, as it stands, breeders or pre-trainers would not be allowed to prepare their horses at Durbanville as they have done in past years.
However, all 146 of the lots will be allowed to do their breeze up on the Durbanville course on November 16.
By David Thiselton
