Clyde Basel – new man in the hot seat
Clyde Basel took over the Phumelela Racing Executive hot seat from Patrick Davis just over a week ago. In addition to this function he retains Hospitality and Events, whilst the Sales and Marketing function has been allocated to Tellytrack, CEO, Rob Scott, with Publishing now falling under John Stuart.
Basel says that he is under no illusions as regards the challenges that face the sport of kings in the 21st century.
Where will he start?
“This isn’t a one-man business. We need to get everybody pulling in the same direction. Whoever we are and whatever we do, a love and passion for the game is a common thread that runs through all of our hearts. Racing is after all, the only thing most of us know. So let’s make it work. Let’s get new fans involved. Give the Racing It’s A Rush campaign an opportunity to work. It is a work in progress which we would love to eventually take from below the line to above the line and become more visible. Mistakes have been made. It is a component that can add plenty of value and we cannot deny that we need to harness new markets.”
Basel responded to a comment from trainer Corne Spies regarding the Vaal sand track closure.
Corne Spies said:
As I’m sure the majority of the broader racing community, I too am opposed to doing away with the sand racing surface at the Vaal.
My concerns are as follows:
Corne Spies – concerns over void left by sand closure
Turf / Grass racing surfaces on the Highveld in winter are notoriously hard and the sand has provided a good alternative to save our young and better class of horses from career shortening or ending injuries.
It does not sound like an alternative surface will be in place by this coming winter.
The saying goes, “Horses for Courses”. We shall have to change that to “Horse for Course”, as a large portion of the horse population that are suited to only sand going will now be excluded from racing competitively.
Sand racing has provided a new life and career for horses that only act on sand. How often have we as trainers in the past (and will now again in future) watched champions work on the training tracks, only to be disappointed when they run on turf? These horses found a place in sand racing, and the sand track, in so many cases, saved owner’s investments from tuning to ashes.
I feel for the breeders that have to sell foals by well established sand sires on future sales. After all, how could they have foreseen that they have done a worthless mating a year and two ago?
As is common knowledge, there are different merit ratings in place for turf and sand surfaces. Has this been taken into account and will races be added to the now Turf programme to accommodate the scores of horses with very low turf ratings that are now forced to run on Turf?
I am of the opinion that the problems encountered with the sand surface can be overcome if it is maintained and managed professionally.
If it is unavoidable that the sand surface must be done away with, I would suggest that an alternative surface is in place before the Vaal sand track is planted with grass.
Clyde Basel responded:
Vaal – maintenance and little else?
“The racing programme was revised in August with a view to catering for the absence of the sand track. It is impossible to please all of the people all of the time, but the race planners have applied their minds the best they could and so hopefully the lower rated horses will get an opportunity to race. And then Kimberley remains an option too. The Vaal sand will be dug up on 1 November and the turf laid. The new track should be ready in six months.”
And when can we expect the polytrack at Turffontein?
“There is no provision in this financial year and you will be aware that a project of this nature costs tens of millions of rands. We shall keep our stakeholders informed of progress on this front,” he said.
