LOOKING BACK

FROM THE SUNDAY TIMES 50 YEARS AGO

The biggest upset since the win of rank outsider Kerason in 1961 was seen at Greyville today when the 33-1 chance Court Day (James Maree) won the R53,000 Rothman’s July Handicap. Chichester was second; then came Centre Court and Duel. A stunned silence from the record crowd greeted the remarkable result, which confounded the predictions of leading racing experts, who, with few exceptions, named Applause or Naval Escort to win. But Applause was conspicuously absent in more senses than one when the first four horses were led into the enclosure. What happened to Applause? “It ran out of gas in the closing stages,” said one racing commentator. — July 5 1970

FROM THE SUNDAY TIMES 25 YEARS AGO

A powerful faction within the ANC wants Jay Naidoo, the minister in charge of the RDP, removed as head of the programme. The lobby, which a senior government source said could include up to half the ANC ministers, wants the RDP to be run by a cabinet committee headed by Deputy President Thabo Mbeki. The RDP minister’s supporters say the move is a power play, but Mr Naidoo concedes that some of the criticisms against him are valid. The move to oust him comes at a time of widespread unhappiness over the RDP’s failures. Critics blame Mr Naidoo for the lack of delivery, creating unnecessary bureaucratic structures and introducing red tape, which causes delays. — July 2 1995