THE sand track at Flamingo Park is to be refurbished at a cost of about R1.3 million. The project will commence after the meeting at Flamingo Park on Monday next week and is expected to be completed in 10 days, so that the track will be ready for racing again on 20 September, when the next meeting is scheduled.

Phumelela’s Racing Executive Patrick Davis commented: “The Flamingo Park track hasn’t had a major refurbishment since it was first laid in 2005 and one is now due. The sand needs to be topped up by 110mm.”

“We are laying natural sand unique to the area, sourced from a nearby property. Before the track was first laid, samples from the area were sent to the USA for testing and the results showed it to be among the best racing sands tested. It was found to be both horse-friendly and resilient.”

Phumelela’s two other capital projects at Flamingo Park will be the relocation of the infield control tower to the outside of the track and the expansion of on course accommodation for