Big hats, 50000 people and some fine horses will be on show at Kenilworth Racecourse in Cape Town tomorrow. But Legislate, the favourite to win the J&B Met, has been withdrawn from the race.
With the theme "Made for the Mix", fashion designers are shaking things up as they dress celebrities for the races.
According to Phumelela Gaming manager Mervin Gamble, the new favourites, Futura and Louis The King, are already neck-and-neck, at odds of 15/10 and 16/10 to win, respectively.
"The betting turnover for the entire day this year is expected to be R70-million. Last year, the main race alone saw bets totalling R11-million," Gamble said.
According to the City of Cape Town, the Met added R60-million to the regional economy last year, R8-million less than it reportedly contributed in 2013.
Attending the Met this year are former Springbok Chester Williams, former Protea Jacques Kallis and Springbok players Eben Etzebeth, Damian de Allende and Scarra Ntubeni.
Designer Gert Johan Coetzee, who will be dressing actresses Jay Anstey, Boity Thulo and former Miss South Africa Cindy Nell, said he was excited about the theme because it allowed him to incorporate various elements into one garment.
Paledi Segapo of Palse Homme said he was designing an outfit for only one celebrity this year, Real Gobhoza presenter Sinazo Yolwa.
"The theme allows one to play with texture [and] print. I hope people don't opt to play just with colour," said Segapo.
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