Yeni will not race, but the glitzy show goes on

But now that he is under investigation by the Mauritian police tasked with racing matters, he is unlikely to leave the island until the earliest on Monday, on condition he returns to face any charges should they arise, according to Armstrong.

Mauritius Turf Club director of racing, Benoit Halbwachs, told the Sporting Post yesterday that Yeni was prevented from leaving the island as police investigations into the WhatsApp case continued.

“We did not find Mr Yeni guilty in this matter and the police are not telling us anything further. I spoke to them this morning and they have nothing to say. The jockey is not under arrest and has freedom of movement on the island,” he said.

Halbwachs added that the Mauritius Turf Club would decide what action to take against Yeni in respect of the case, where he was alleged to be one of three jockeys to have enjoyed a boat trip with a bookmaker. Danielson and Lerena have already lodged appeals against their suspensions.

In Yeni’s absence, Howells was forced to cast around for a suitable rider for Ten Gun Salute. In his absence, Marwing, who has vast international experience, will get his chance to take on the Vodacom Durban July.

Ten Gun Salute and last year’s winner, The Conglomerate, were the “money” horses in the antepost market. Both were steadily supported from 12-1 over the past few days, into joint fourth favourites at 8-1.

The two three-year-olds, Edict Of Nantes and Al Sahem, were steady joint favourites at 5-1 for the past week, along with Black Arthur who shortened from 7-1.

The champagne and caviar set are expected to arrive from across the country for the event, expected to bring an estimated R260 million over the weekend, excluding the R100m gambling splurge of the year, in betting alone.

While the crème de la crème mingle in showstopping marquees, topped by Durban’s own business mogul, Vivian Reddy, celebs may be spotted in Afrotainment, Vodacom Red, Equus Lounge and Boomtown’s Jack Daniel’s and Glenlivet Jazz Town.

In from the US for the event will be US superstars, Robin Thicke and French Montana, expected in the Mabala Noise marquee, while Afrotainment’s DJ Tira said he couldn’t wait for the party to begin with the likes of Cassper Nyovest, Kwesta, Nasty C, DJ Fresh and AKA, Shekinah and Sketchy Bongo.

Being the fashion event of the year, super-celeb Minnie Dlamini’s sexy gown by Gert-Johan Coetzee is already talked about, so there is much anticipation for the wow factor on the red carpet. Four raceday fashion competitions will take place – Classic Racewear, Most Striking Couple and Exceptional Raceday Hat or Fascinator – while the Vodacom Durban July Invited Designer Showcase will provide the fashion highlight of the day.

Local entertainers will have a turn to spin the decks in the spotlight, with professional mobile DJ and entertainer DJ Ziggy (Zohe Abdoola), from Durban, saying, “It’s all about mingling and the fashion at first, but then the party begins.”

The weather should play along with fine and mild conditions predicted today. And while Durban July parties started last night and are set to continue throughout the weekend, the Department of Transport’s MEC Mxolisi Kaunda has called for extra caution by drivers with law enforcement rolling out multi-disciplinary roadblocks, from yesterday until tomorrow.