Public welcome to the SunMet gallops

The Sun Met, celebrated with GH Mumm is unique in the fact that it is the only race in the Cape that requires runners to put on a public gallop in the build up to raceday on 28 January.

Only one other race in South Africa, which takes place in Durban at the beginning of July each year, demands such a requirement as part of the conditions of entry.

For those attending the inaugural Sun Met, celebrated with GH Mumm next week’s gallops at Kenilworth Racecourse on Thursday, 19 January offer a chance to get caught up in the buzz as the runners display their wellbeing and athleticism from 7am-8am.

The final field will be announced at Grand West on Monday 16 January and based on the outcome there the contenders for the R5-million will make their public appearance at the gallops.

Coffee and sticky buns are thrown in for good measure for those attending on the morning and there is also the chance to get your hands on a limited number of free tickets before the big day.

The morning will also offer a glimpse into some of the fashions that could be on display on Sun Met day as far as the ‘Decades of Glamour’ theme is considered.

The barrier draw will follow directly after the gallops with the runners set to find out their fate with regards to which starting stall they will jump from for the Grade One spectacle, now the richest race in Africa.

It’s all part of a preamble that culminates in a bumper 13-race programme at Kenilworth on the last weekend of January as well as a star-studded after party with popular acts such as Mi Casa, Goodluck, Sketchy Bongo, Euphonik, Kyle Deutsch and Shekinah confirmed for the event.

The gallops and draw will be live on Tellytrack, channel 239 on the DSTV bouquet.

RIAR press release