In today’s world the viability of a racecourse depends more on remote punters than on racing enthusiasts actually present on the course, suggests Sheldene Chant in an exclusive for the Sporting Post.
Borrowdale Park in Harare has been at a distinct disadvantage because outdated camera equipment portrayed one of the most attractive racecourses in Southern Africa at its worst.
However, from the HRIB Gold Cup meeting on Saturday, November 28, racing in Zimbabwe will no longer be shrouded in mystery, and viewers at home and across our borders will enjoy increased and much improved TV coverage.
Initially there may be hiccups but the turf will be seen as green, instead of khaki, and the racing silks vibrant and colourful, rather than indistinguishable and washed out.
Sand Promotions have recently signed a marketing contract with the Mashonaland Turf Club and one of the most exciting aspects has been the delivery of the OB van – an 8-camera suited rig that carries state-of-the-art equipment.
Scott Buchan of Sand Promotions
This will give Borrowdale far better picture quality going into all three international Tellytrack channels. Racing coverage out of Borrowdale Park should now be on a par with that from any other course.
In addition Sand Promotions have signed on for a live feed from Zimbabwe’s National Television Station, ZBC, for a full afternoon’s racing from Borrowdale.
This should encourage more viewers and sponsors to become part of the local racing industry. (This coverage will also appear on DSTV Channel 280.)
Scott Buchan, Managing Director of Sand Promotions, races horses at Borrowdale and elsewhere. His aim is for Borrowdale Park racing to “compete internationally on a platform that portrays it as it really is”. All aspects of presentation will be reviewed over the next couple of months.
Under the new deal regular Borrowdale Park race goers have not been left out. From Saturday they will be able to watch live racing on a big screen, erected at the finishing post, from a seat in the grandstand. Results, race information and interviews will be shown, live, on a separate screen.
The US$13 000 HRIB Gold Cup, run over 1200m, is the most prestigious sprint on the Zimbabwe racing calendar. Fifteen horses have accepted to run on Saturday and the field includes Picalilly and Gentle Brook who finished second and third behind On This Rock last year.
