Newmarket Racecourse (Alberton City, South Africa)

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HISTORY
Newmarket was founded as a midweek racing club in 1938.
Night racing commenced on 26 September 1996.
Major feature races run at Newmarket include: -
$40,000 Premier's Handicap (Gr 2) One Mile.
$32,000 Gauteng Racehorse Owners' Association Handicap (Gr 2) 1 3/4 Miles.
$24,000 Newmarket Turf Club Stakes WFA (Gr 2) 1 1/4 Miles.
$24,000 Gerald Rosenberg Handicap (Gr 2) 1 1/4 Miles.
TRACK PROFILE
Situated within the hub of busy Alberton, Newmarket Racecourse is instantly recognisable, lending the town a bright, vibrant landmark, well-known by all.
With its straight of 6 furlongs and a long run-in of a half mile, Newmarket cannot be considered an easy course, but is nonetheless less severe than a track like Turffontein.
While races around the bend are generally won from slightly off the pace, sprint events seem to be shared by speedy front-runners and those which prefer to settle a little way off the leaders.
Much the same situation applies to the dog leg 6 1/2 furlong races which are unique to Newmarket. Runners with early toe are able to win from almost any draw over this distance, while horses drawn on the inside - that lack early speed - sometimes find themselves trapped on the fence. With the long run-in, though, there is distance enough to seek a better position after turning for home.
Newmarket's big advantage in an area that has a fairly large summer rainfall is that it drains exceptionally well and even during the wet summer months the going is fairly even.
As much as two inches of rainfall during or prior to a racemeeting will result in the going changing only to yielding.
The track at Newmarket is commented on by all, as being a track that is not hard on horses legs, and it is well known that very few fit runners break down at the course.

Currently being demolished, probably to make way for a new shopping centre.