Vaal grooms to renew rivalry in mile race on foot

VANDERBIJLPARK. – The IT software company SAP has announced they will be sponsoring the foot race over a mile for grooms based at the Vaal and have increased the prize to R20 000.
The event is always held after the last race on SAP Supreme Cup day, which takes place at the Vaal racecourse on September 26. The pay split will be the same as a normal South African horse race, 62,5% for the winner, 20% for second, 10% for third, 5% for fourth and 2,5% for fifth. The race will be run on the outside turf track.
The initiative started a few years ago and is welcomed by the grooms, who are invaluable members of the racing fraternity. The event also provides an entertaining spectacle for the big crowd. It is not known who the favourite will be. However, there are sure to be many grooms taking a leaf out of the books of the horses they dote on by putting in plenty of preparation mileage on the Vaal training tracks.
Book your picnic site and come enjoy what’s always been a super day of racing and entertainment. The inaugural Supreme Prawn Festival is sure to attract many local residents. For more information call 011 681 1702.

• Vaalweekblad got permission from Vaal Racecourse to present a fun run on the track for our readers on the morning of September 26 before the horse races start. The fun run is in aid of Cansa and prizes worth thousands of rand are up for grabs in lucky draws. It is open for the whole family – young and old. Entry cost is R50 for adults and R20 for kids under the age of 18. Only participants who wear their registration numbers on the day will qualify for the lucky draws, so register as soon as possible on ticketpro.co.za