THE focus will be on stamina at Friday’s race meeting on the Fairview Turf track in Greenbushes.
The main race on the card, race seven of eight, is the Glenlair Trophy run over the challenging distance of 2 800m.
Only a very fit horse can win this race, and a lot can happen over 2 800m. Nine runners will try to secure the beautiful trophy, and it should be a very competitive affair.
This race is usually a huge crowd favourite, and the runners will face the starter at 16:15. Don’t miss it. The first race is off at 12:50.
Friday’s meeting will be the start of a very exciting month of racing at Fairview. There are many more fantastic races coming up later in the month.
At the meeting on the 12th, the East Cape Oaks and Flying Five top the bill, but there will also be a lot of interest in the Derby Plate.
The Derby Plate for three-year-olds is seen as part of the preparation for those horses which will run at next month’s prestigious WSB East Cape Derby.
A very interesting nomination to run in the Derby Plate is that of Fairy Knight. Fairy Knight won the Ibhayi Stakes in February and the East Cape Guineas last month.
The Guineas over 1 600m was the second leg of the three races which form part of the East Cape Sophomore Challenge.
There is a huge bonus for the connections of Fairy Knight if he also wins the final leg of the Challenge, the Derby over 2 400m.
Fairy Knight hasn’t raced beyond 1 600m, but all indications are that he should be comfortable over at least 2 000m.
Trainer Alan Greeff will probably decide after the Derby Plate if Fairy Knight will give the final leg a go.
According to top jockey, Richard Fourie, we saw “something special” in the Guineas. He was referring to Fairy Knight, and when Fourie makes a statement like that, racing fans take notice.
The Cape Town-based rider will be crowned the national champion at the end of the season, and rides the best horses all over the country, all year long.
Fourie makes regular trips to Gqeberha for the Fairview meetings, and is clearly impressed with Fairy Knight.
Under the expert guidance of Greeff, Fairy Knight has won six of his 12 races, and has earned more than R600 000 in prize money.
What makes the local racing community even more proud is that the son of Global View is locally-bred at the Ascot Stud in Seaview.
He was bought for R120 000 at the national yearling sale and races in the partnership between Pine Lodge Stud and the Halo Syndicate.
Every time Fairy Knight runs, Fairview comes alive. Many members of the Halo Syndicate are always at the track to support their horse and jockey.
It is very exciting to have a horse like Fairy Knight based at Fairview. He has been capturing hearts and turning heads, and his journey is far from over.
