DESPITE a number of challenges, two highly successful meetings were concluded at Durbanville and Turffontein on Saturday.

With racing now taking place behind closed door due to the coronavirus pandemic, air travel officially discouraged, and even owners and trainers restricted or even banned from attending race days, it is becoming increasingly difficult to stage race meetings successfully.

And when a Highveld thunderstorm is added to the fray, most would throw in the towel.

But not the racing fraternity. And most definitely not Phumelela’s Racing Executive Patrick Davis.

“We got through a very challenging raceday at Turffontein,” said Davis on Saturday evening.

“Not only did we have to deal with the Coronavirus measures, but the weather too – with two lengthy delays on account of lightning over the Turffontein course.

“But the entire racing team, as well as the officials from the National Horseracing Authority, all the other participants notably trainers, stable staff, jockeys and all the on-course staff, pulled together and showed great patience, professionalism and teamwork to complete the race meeting.

“We even had to turn lights on at Turffontein to complete the meeting and concluded all the races successfully.”

Davis added that the team at TellyTrack also deserve special mention for ensuring that the race meetings at Durbanville and Turffontein were broadcast to an international audience on numerous continents despite the challenges.

“All the teams at Durbanville and Turffontein kept the show on the road today and for that they deserve applause from the entire racing community,” Davis concluded.