Durban - Power King, ridden by jockey Stuart Randolph swept to victory in front of a crowd of 60 000 in the R3.5mln title race in the 119th running of the Vodacom Durban July on Saturday.
Tense moments followed the electric win with a race review, with punters urged to hang onto their tickets.
Gold Circle racing analyst Warren Lenferno had predicted that it would be a close run between No.2 Wylie Hall and No.10 Legal Eagle, insisting that a reverse was not an outside possibility.
He had placed both No.5 Majmu and No.1 Futura.
Over R100m is expected to be paid out in winning bets, and the pend on betting on course and off-course will top R220m, with the French tote formally co-mingling with the local tote for the main race for the first time.
Celebrities and the who’s who of South Africa’s upper echelon descended on the lush race course.
The Vodacom Durban July itself contributes over R220m in direct spend into the local economy, most of which emanates from the Gauteng visitors who drive down for the weekend, making up more than half of the 55 000 strong crowd at Greyville Racecourse, and contributing over R150m just through transport, accommodation, tickets, entertainment, restaurants and clothing for the event.
Several races will still be run in the evening’s line-up.