THE second half of the season has started and racing fans can look forward to many more special moments at the Fairview track in Greenbushes.
February might be the shortest month of the year but there is enough time for five action-packed meetings.
The first one already took place on the poly surface yesterday, but things will get even better later in the month. The dates to dot down are the 21st and the 28th when fireworks are expected in three top-class events.
There is a chance to see the best three-year-old horses, and probably a few Western Cape visitors, in action in two of these races.
The Ibhayi Stakes over 1 400m for the three-year-olds will be run on the 21st and the three-year-old fillies will contest the Breeders Guineas on the 28th.
At the meeting on the 21st, the speedy fillies and mares will take each other on in the Lady’s Pendant over 1 200m – always a special race at Fairview.
Local racing fans will also keep an eye on the Kenilworth meeting in Cape Town on the 22nd.
There is talk that some of the Fairview-based horses will run at this massive meeting and that should be really exciting.
Bournemouth was the star of the show at this past Friday’s meeting when he won the Lakeside Handicap over 2400m.
This is no doubt the five-year-old gelding’s favourite race. Trained by Alan Greeff, he also won the race last year with the same jockey, Richard Fourie, in the saddle.
The horses which ran second and third in the race deserve a mention. Both Zatara Magic and Firealley produced gutsy efforts.
Zatara Magic, from the Gavin Smith stable, carried 5.5kgs more than the winner. Firealley, trained by Jacques Strydom, carried 7.5kgs more.
Firealley became an equine millionaire with this race. The prize money for his third place took his earnings past the R1 million mark.
While Zatara Magic was getting into the zone for the Lakeside Handicap a day before the race, 14 of his stablemates were treated to an outing at Maitlands Beach.
This was not only a special occasion for the horses but also for members of the general public.
The Gavin Smith Racing Stables extended an invitation to the public through social media to go and watch the racehorses enjoy the beach.
It made for an entertaining morning for all in attendance and it was lovely to see the thoroughbreds enjoying themselves away from the track.
There are also efforts from the racing fraternity to make sure horses that maybe had a tough time, also get to enjoy a better life.
The biggest fundraiser of the year for the Eastern Cape Horse Unit (ECHU) is their annual Fairview meeting.
This year it will be held on March 21, Human Rights Day, and anyone who wants to support the cause can contact the ECHU.
