Initially, the project was set to cost R35 million, but costs have escalated to more than R50 million. Accordingly, Phumelela and the Racing Association have agreed to investigate if there are better ways to spend the money for the benefit of all horseracing’s participants.

Alternatives under consideration include the installation of an all-weather racetrack on the Highveld and widening and dividing the straight turf course at the Vaal in order to provide two separate racing surfaces. This would give four turf tracks on the Highveld and simplify the annual spring treatments of the surfaces.

Preliminary investigations into the installation of an all-weather track will begin soon. A test strip will be laid at one of the racing or training centres and subjected to the climatic conditions on the Highveld before a proper racing surface is installed.

Turffontein is currently a hive of activity with work going full steam ahead on two more key projects to revitalise the raceday experience – a new parade ring is being constructed in front of the grandstand and a three-tier deck is being installed on the first level of the stands.

Horses will continue to be saddled in the holding boxes behind the grandstand and will then be led by their grooms along a new walkway under the grandstand and into the parade ring.