Safety first for race meeting
SCREENED: ALL WHO ATTENDED AT VAAL
The Vaal yesterday staged its first race meeting since 26 March, the day before the national lockdown started, and representatives of the National Horseracing Authority (NHA) were out in full force to ensure all the new health rules were strictly followed.
“We can’t afford to have any hiccups,” said NHA racing control executive Arnold Hyde.
“In order to keep racing going we all have to make sacrifices, but it’s all for the greater good.”
When people arrived, they had their temperatures taken by a nurse and gave details of what they had been doing, where they had been and their state of health.
No refreshments were allowed to be brought on to the course.
Once cleared, they were issued with a badge which stated they had been screened.
“We have been in touch with other countries who have been racing to get feedback and advice and we have formulated the best plan for our racing,” said Hyde.
Jockeys had to wear masks, even when they rode in the races. Fields comprised just 12 horses so there could be an empty stall between each runner in the starting stalls.There were sanitisers and wipes placed around the course.
While owners and punters had to watch from home on Tellytrack, they did witness a superb performance from Lady Of Steel, who extended her unbeaten record to five in race six.
She had won the Grade 3 Acacia handicap over 1 600m at Turffontein but this was the first time she had taken on the colts. Despite having to racing at level weights against some highly experienced males, she ran on powerfully to beat Warrior’s Rest by 0.75-length.
Trained by Johan Janse van Vuuren and ridden by Chase Maujean, this filly is one to follow.