The first race meeting on the new Vaal turf track will be held on Thursday (May 19) and trials on the new surface suggest that the track is going to be a winner.

The new track will be known as the Vaal Classic track and replaces the sand track. Work began last November and everything has gone according to plan. Trials were held on the new surface and senior jockey Sherman Brown is among those impressed with the track: “The track was very nice, very even all over the place. I sat behind a horse and didn’t get much kick back, pulled out to the middle of the course and the horse really enjoyed the going.”

The configuration of the new track is identical to the previous sand track. It’s a right-handed course with a 2800m circumference and a 1000m straight course. Races over 1000m are up the straight with 1200m races starting in the middle of the bend and 1450m races at the entrance of the bend.

Phumelela Horseracing Executive Clyde Basel said: “Not many turf tracks in SA have a 1000m run-in, giving every runner ample opportunity to get into a winning position. Many thanks to the track management team for working long hours to get the Classic track ready. We plan to stage about 20 racemeetings from now to the end of the year on the new track.”

   –   TABnews

Picture: Supplied