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WITH over 50 000 horse racing fans and fashionistas expected at this year’s Vodacom Durban July, the Gold Circle team are adding their final touches to ensure the day goes off without a hitch.
With the classy and avant garde theme, The Captain’s Table, this year marks the 119th edition of the horse racing event and promises to be filled with glitz and glamour, not forgetting, some sensational racing.
For those who managed to bag a VIP or VVIP spot, the marquee village has been set up with spa and massage stations, hair and make-up touch-up areas, photo booths and selfie stations.
Starting yesterday, Greyville Racecourse has 40 chefs hard at work preparing 15 000 meals for tomorrow.
Those in the Greyville marquees can expect a steady stream of 390 waiters and barmen who will serve up 17 000 bottles of beer, 256 000 containers of minerals, 2 500 bottles of spirits and 900 bottles of wine to thirsty patrons.
An additional 80 litres of orange juice and 450 litres of milk will be on hand to accompany the countless cups of coffee and tea for the guests.
One of the culinary highlights for many is the 8 000 delicious portions of curry and rice and are made up of 2 200 kg of meat, 750 kg of chicken, 280 kg of prawns and 300 kg of crayfish. Delectable seafood is also on the menu with 2 600 delicate pieces of sushi and 1 200 oysters.
For those diners looking for something a little more familiar on their plates, the kitchen will also serve up 2 500 pies, 2 000 hamburgers and 350 litres of ice cream for dessert.
To compliment the mouth-watering meals Gold Circle has ordered in 7 000 bread rolls, 80 kg of butter, 100 dozen eggs, 150 kg of mushrooms, 120 pockets of potatoes and 280 kg of cheese, 20 pockets of sugar, and 550 kg of steaming rice — and this is just for the facilities that fall directly under Greyville Racecourse.
PR and communications manager Gill Simpkins said on the track, this year’s hot favourite is Legal Eagle who won the July in 2004. Simpkins says he will “almost certainly” be the best weighted horse on paper that the Vodacom Durban July has seen since merit ratings were introduced to South African in 1999.
“Handicappers have raised Legal Eagle eight points to 120 for his 4,3 length romp in the Gr 3 Jubilee Handicap over 1 800 m on Sunday, and on form he looks to be worth every one of those points,” said Simpkins.
KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison Willies Mchunu has called for extra caution to all visitors who will be attending the July this weekend.
“The integrated law enforcement team involving the department’s Road Traffic Inspectorate, the eThekwini Metro Police and SAPS will be on hand to deal with errant road traffic behaviour,” said Mchunu in a press statement yesterday.
Last year, over 27 000 vehicles passed through the national toll plazas and about the same are expected this year. “I would like to welcome the visitors and other travellers who will be in Durban this coming weekend. Furthermore, I wish to emphasise that all road users … exercise caution and strictly respect road traffic rules …” added Mchunu.
ARCHITECT by day and fashion guru by night, Pietermaritzburg fashion designer Kireshen Chetty (29) will be showcasing his work at this year’s Vodacom Durban July.
Chetty and his proudly Pietermaritzburg team of models and support crew are adding their final touches to the six garments he will be showing at major marquees at Greyville Racecourse tomorrow.
Chetty was selected by the KwaZulu-Natal Fashion Council to show eight existing garments at major marquees and will also showcase six new garments in the much-anticipated Fashion Challenge.
“The theme was difficult this year as we were told it is The Captain’s Table, but was not a nautical theme. So I researched right back to the 1920s and had to think of how to adapt the style then to the current trends. With fashion being my hobby and still working a full-time job, it meant sleepless nights for me but I know it will all be worth it in the end,” said Chetty.
Chetty and his team have made all accessories and jewellery “from scratch” and he will be styling the models on the day.
He has been in the fashion and styling industry for four years and has many wins under his belt, from winning the JSE Young Designers award in 2011 to Best Professional Designer in the 2014 and 2015 Gold Challenge. He was also awarded the 21 Steps to Retail bursary from the KZN Fashion Council last year.
“I hope to receive more exposure and wins in this year’s Vodacom Durban July. I want to show everyone what my spin on fashion is and what I am capable off,” said Chetty
