Horse racing operator Phumelela Gaming & Leisure said on Thursday it has been given the green light for night racing at Turffontein.

"The appeal against environmental approval for the installation of floodlights at Turffontein has been dismissed by the Gauteng MEC for Agriculture, Conservation and Environment and it is hoped to hold the first night meeting at the track as early as October this year," the company,
which also operates tote betting, said.

Phumelela CEO Jim Tennant said the green light for night racing at Turffontein was "great news all round" for the horseracing industry.

Installation of the lights will begin as soon as possible. Construction is expected to begin in the next six to eight weeks and it might be possible to have night racing by October.

Phumelela had hoped to launch night racing at Turffontein last October, but the installation of lights had to be put on ice following the appeal against Phumelela being authorised to hold night races at the venue.

Major races run at the venue include the R3.5 million Gommagomma Challenge, the 2 million rand Steinhoff International Summer Cup and the 1.2 million rand SA Classic.

Source: I-Net Bridge