A thrilling finish is guaranteed in Friday’s feature race, on the Fairview Polytrack in Greenbushes.
Exciting, close finishes have become the norm in the Nelson Mandela Bay Poly Challenge, so get ready for a cracking race in the second leg of this year’s challenge. This race is over 1 400m and three of the first four finishers, in the first leg over 1 200m, will again be in the field of 14 runners.
Those three runners are the winner of the first leg, Prince of Fire, Gallic Tribe (third) and Port Louis (fourth).
There was less than a length between them at the finish and they are ready to do it again over a slightly longer distance. Throw in some very capable horses which weren’t involved in the first leg, and you have a really mouthwatering affair.
Prince of Fire will have lots of support as he can secure a bonus of R250 000 for his connections if he wins all three legs of the Challenge.
Also look out for the legendary jockey, Pieré Strydom, who will be riding Gallic Tribe, which is trained by his brother Jacques.
The 57-year-old Pieré has indicated this is his last season in the saddle, and racing fans get a chance to see the master in action at the track where everything started for him many years ago.
Last Friday the action was on the grass surface, when the six-year-old gelding Grazinginthegrass was the star of the show. He produced a wonderful performance to win the Friendly City Stakes over 1 800m for the Alan Greeff stable. Aldo Domeyer was the winning jockey.
In the process, Grazinginthegrass beat some very good horses and has now won an incredible six races in a row (13 career wins from 37 starts).
Grazinginthegrass was named the champion older horse in the Eastern Cape for the past season, and is also the latest equine millionaire in the province.
He passed a million rand in total earnings after securing the winning cheque of R125 000 in the Friendly City Stakes for his connections.
It is not only Grazinginthegrass that caught the eye at Fairview since the season started at the beginning of last month.
The top Fairview trainers Gavin Smith and Greeff have once again proved they are two of the most successful stables in the country, and bigger things can be expected from them as the season progresses.
Friday’s meeting consists of eight races and will start at 12:50. The feature is race six and the off time is 15:45.
Entry is free.
