SAINDIA AUGUST 2016

EVENT FEATURE
2016 Vodacom
Durban
Socials
July
Thousands of punters and partyseekers
braved the chilly July
weather to enjoy the 120th
instalment of Africa’s Greatest
Horseracing Event with the fabled
seventh race enthralling all as
unfancied The Conglomerate gave trainer Joey
Ramsden his first Vodacom Durban July winner
at Greyville Racecourse on Saturday.
The Conglomerate wins the 2016 Vodacom Durban July
Race Seven lived up to the expectation with
the final furlong producing all the action as
the pre-race favourites all fell by the wayside
which left The Conglomerate, starting from
the extreme outside draw of eighteen and
ridden by Vodacom Durban July veteran Piere
Strydom, and Marinaresco to fight it out over
the final lengths with the former winning and
claiming the R4.25 Million prize with Mac de
Lago finishing in third position.
A thrilled Strydom heaped praise on the four
year old, saying he had more than enough to
hold off the challenge from Marinaresco, with the
fancied Bela-Bela failing to mount a challenge
in the finish straight after straightening on the
inside.
There was no denying that field fashion was
on form this year, with plenty of ‘Leader of the
Pack’ inspired ensembles gracing the track
and many designers vying for a coveted place
amongst the winners of the celebrated raceday
competitions.
After some tough judging from industry experts
designers saw Pregasen Govender, Zandile
Masondo, Martin Steenkamp and Madelain
Clark secure first place in the Gold Circle Most
Striking Couple, Exceptional Raceday Hat or
Fascinator and Classic Racewear for Male and
Female categories respectively.
The Action Stage also played host to the
dazzling finals of the Vodacom Durban July
Young Designer Award and Fashion Challenge
presented by Durban Fashion Fair, where
Leona Magdelene Pillay from the School
of Fashion Design (Pietermaritzburg) and
Kimosha Ganas lived the real life fairytale of
winning the prestigious pre-race day fashion
competitions respectively.
As part of the Vodacom Durban July Fashion
Experience racing fans were also treated
to a magical showcase of theme inspired
collections from South Africa’s kings and
queens of fashion, Durban Invited Designers
Karen Monk Klijnstra, Kathrin Kidger, Zama
Mathe, Francois Vedemme, Hanrie Lues with
Paledi Segapo and Shaldon Kopman from
Johannesburg and Tamara Chèrie Dyson from
Cape Town.
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