Palm Court at the Durban July
The roar of the finish line is awe-inspiring, and the electric air as 18 horses running at complete gallop approach. Two Cheeky Aussies are yelling for their top tip — Winchester Mansion. There are about a hundred bucks on the horse of Mrs. Rupert with bright yellow colors. It is then all high-fives when jockeys hit on the turbocharge button. Winchester Mansion bolts ahead, overtaking the top contender, See It Again, by one head.
I sigh and tear up my race card. I had bought the wrong horse in Mrs Rupert’s stable.
It was my first time attending the most prestigious race in South Africa. The majority of the time, I am the one who works in the background, putting together the stories and pictures that the readers will enjoy on the following day.
When our good friend, Dilly (that is a schoolboy nickname), who was on the entertainment committee of Aussie, offered me to join the committee, I was thrilled to accept the invitation. Being a committee member, we got tickets to the Palm Court at R850 inclusive of entry into the course. There was also the Durban View Room, with its views of the finish line, being much more expensive and reserved for actual VVIPs.
Greyville hosted a dinner for its first race. The venue was oddly decorated with black drapery, creating a feeling like an upscale nightclub on a beautiful day in July. However, it was a good location having easy access to the racetrack from the front, where you could watch the races and the parade ring in the back to see the race condition of the horses. “I think your horse has a limp,” Cheeky Aussie2 teases Cheeky Australiane1 in the final race, but only to have his horse win.
There is a coffee and tea station for those who arrive early. It is okay, it is not coffee, but there is cardamom chai and extremely sweet but incredibly moreish coconut cookies.
Cold starters may be routine, including salads and fish cakes, cold-cooked fish, and crab sticks. However, there was a good selection of cold meats, and a few mussels enlivened the seafood buffet. I chose hot starters with the peri-peri prawns tossed out of the kitchen in buckets and a piece that was battered and fried fish. Samosas, spring rolls, and snacks for those looking to nibble.
The main buffet featured two roasts, new potatoes, vegetables, sauces, and gravies. The main course was a lamb; however, a rare roast beef also appeared during lunchtime (it was slightly less common during the day). Then there was the curry buffet, which the Cheeky Aussies ate. It was a great illustration of the Durban dish, although it was milder in catering to all tastes. It certainly was a delicious spice. I would have loved that there had been potatoes, but perhaps some guests had eaten all the potatoes before I arrived. The chicken curry, as well as the vegetarian biryani and dhal, were also delicious.
It had been a long week of demonstrating the Aussy’s great curries. While traveling to the Hluhluwe Mfolozi reserves for the game, we stopped at Umhlali village. Umhlali village to purchase an exotic curry that is the talk on the North Coast. Cindy’s freshly-picked Produce is well-known for its excellent curries. You can ask anyone who is a busy Ballito person looking to prepare a tasty dinner on the table. I ordered the prawn and chicken selection, and it was far better than the curry we had eaten on the menu at Britannia Hotel the week before under the shade. This curry was packed with a strong flavor punch, without being too hot, and with plenty of prawns and chicken. All I needed to do was cut some coriander and prepare a simple tomato sambal with chilies, Much to the chagrin of Dilly. He requested a chopped banana.
The curry was highly affordable at R60 per portion, with R7 per serving of rice. It indeed was an indulgence.
When we returned from the game reserve, they wanted to test an alternative bunny chow. Since Hollywoodbets closes at 3 pm, I took them out to Glamwich on Florida Road for a late meal, and we all ordered mutton rabbits (R80). They were delicious, with the curry having a real bite and plenty of gravy and meat to soak up the bread. They loved sitting in the park in Florida Fields, feasting on street food.
However, let us get back to the primary occasion. We were able to celebrate Winchester Mansion in style. Cheeky Aussie2 had an incredible day, winning three times and taking three top places in eight races. On the other hand, he was in ripping up race tickets.
The only thing left was the dessert buffet that, while not a lot of fun, was a decent trifle – okay, although it is never like mine, as well as some good hot chocolate. Mini milk tarts, fruit salad, and carrot cakes were added to the overall picture.
Finally, the impressive cheese platter was served and was smashed in half before the attendants could set out the cheese and biscuits knives. One of us provided a large chunk of Gouda to slice off slices to serve on the table.
We had a great time and left while we were ahead, getting out before the lights were turned off and the crowd became unruly.
