Soqrat tops weights for the R1-million Charity Mile
ANOTHER R1 MILLION UP TO BE DIVIDED AMONG 16 PARTICIPATING CHARITIES
Final field will be announced at a function on Wednesday.
It comes as no surprise that runners from the Mike de Kock yard are the three top-weighted horses for the R1-million Peermont Emperors Palace Charity Mile over 1600m at Turffontein on Saturday 2 November.
Soqrat, one of the best milers in the country, has been allotted 63kg while stablemates Buffalo Bill Cody and Barahin have 60kg and 58.5kg respectively for the Grade 2 race on the Standside track.
That leaves a number of runners at the bottom of the spectrum who will be running under sufferance, based on merit ratings. When Soqrat won a Pinnacle Stakes last week with 62kg on his back, De Kock said he might still consider running the Australianbred colt if he was given a similar weight in this event.
Sean Tarry will be quite happy that Zillzaal, who appears to have improved with gelding, has been allotted just 54.5kg.
The Peermont Emperors Palace Charity Mile has become a highlight of the horse racing calendar, not only for the connections of the finest equine athletes who line up in the starting stalls, but for a number of charities who have their hopes resting on the result.
The 16 charities are each paired with a racehorse and a celebrity to battle it out for a share of R1 million.
The winning charity receives a cheque for R150,000, second place R100,000 and the remaining 14 charities receiving proportionate amounts of the total depending on where their allocated horses finish.
Bob Yearham, Chief Operating Officer: Gaming, for Emperors Palace, believes it’s the common goal of giving back to those less fortunate that makes this race so special. “As always, the Peermont Emperors Palace Charity Mile is one of the most exciting events on our social calendar. Nothing beats a day at the races and it never fails to be a fun and exciting day - but we mustn’t forget that it also raises money for worthy causes.
“We have 16 star-studded celebrities pairing up with 16 chosen charities, and race 16 horses to make a difference in the lives of those who need it most.”
Charities for the 2019 edition of the race includes the likes of the Highveld Horse Care Unit, National Horse Trust, Welamlambo Primary School, Peermont Education Trust, Lesedi Scarce Skills Programme and the Animal AntiCruelty League, among others.
The race day happens to fall on the same date as the Rugby World Cup final, which is all the more reason to attend according to commentator, Clyde Basel: “We are looking forward to hosting Joburg’s Beer Fest on Peemont Emperors Palace Charity Mile day, with coverage of the Rugby World Cup final which starts at 11am.
“Gates will open at 10am with some great specials on offer in the Beer Fest area. I encourage all racing and rugby fans to come and enjoy the day/night race meeting with us.”
The final field, together with the draws and the teaming up of horses, celebrities and their charities, will be announced at a function on Wednesday, 23 October.