Grooms’ race on Thursday

It was not just the horses who had to stay out of the thundering conditions at the Vaal on Saturday.

The Grooms Challenge on Foot, which was scheduled to be run after the running of Race 9, was also called off. However, that race has been rearranged to take place after the final race at the Vaal on Thursday.

This is not only a fun event for the grooms but also carries total prize money of R20,000 so it is a lucrative event to win. It is run over 1600m down the straight.

Sadly racing had to be called off on Saturday afternoon after the running of Race 6 due to excessive lightning and heavy rain which fell directly over the Vaal Racecourse. The stipes waited as long as possible before coming to a decision but at 5pm, when it became apparent there was no chance of the meeting being completed, they had no option but to cancel the three remaining races.