First two races axed from wet Durban July meet MyZA

It’s Durban July time! Photo: Vodacom Durban July

Rain continues to torment developments for the 2013 Vodacom Durban July and the official track condition is likely to be on the heavy side.

As a precautionary measure, Gold Circle has decided to abandon the first two races and the race meeting will get under way with the running of the 3rd race, the Mango 2200 (Gr3), which is also the first leg of the Place Accumulator.

In addition, the distance for Race 4, the Mercedes Benz Gold Vase, has been shortened from 3 000 to 2 400 metres.

Gold Circle’s Racing Executive, Graeme Hawkins, explained that the track cross-over at Gate 16, which facilitates the delivery of hospitality infrastructure to the infield, has been damaged to the extent to render it unsafe for the horses and as a consequence the only option was to reduce the distance of the race.

The false rail for Races 3,4,5 and 6 will be set at 14 metres and for the remainder of the programme at 9 metres.

The R3,5 million Vodacom Durban July, which is due to be run at 16:20 as race 7 on the card, will thus be run on fresh ground.

The events will be broadcast live by SABC 3 from Greyville between 14:30 and 17:00.