THE local stables are all geared up to make it three-in-a-row in one of Nelson Mandela Bay’s most prestigious horse races.
It is Derby Day at the Fairview track in Greenbushes on Friday, with the highlight the running of the WSB East Cape Derby. This is a race for three-year-old horses over 2 400m and they will be competing for prize money of R350 000.
After the Western Cape visitors dominated this race for a decade, the Fairview trainers hit back by winning the Derby the last two years.
Lizard’s Desire won it for the locals back in 2009 and that was followed by the winning drought until American Princess, trained by Alan Greeff, won two years ago.
Jaeger Moon was a gutsy winner for the Gavin Smith stable last year and now the locals have to once again try to keep the Cape Town raiders out of the number one box.
The Dahlia Plate has been added to Derby Day this year. This race should be just as exciting and competitive as the Derby when the two-year-olds do battle over 1 200m.
The meeting will consist of nine races instead of eight and the Pick Six betting pool will be boosted by R500 000 as an incentive for punters.
The Pick Six pool is expected to reach R2 million and will be a popular bet on Friday. It is not so easy to catch this one, as you have to pick the winners in six consecutive races.
Derby Day has always been a great day for socialising and it will again be the case on Friday. Those who want to make a hospitality booking must do so before 12:00 today.
There have been a few mediocre rides on favourites recently but we witnessed a few gems in exciting finishes last Friday on the Polytrack.
Richard Fourie and the Gqeberha-born Kyle Strydom were at their best and caught the eye by winning two races each with brilliant riding.
We can expect even more exciting finishes, spectacular rides and competitive racing on Derby Day, it should be a cracker. For the latest news and betting tips visit the Facebook page Henk Se Wenk.
Fairview in May
13: Turf – Derby & Dahlia Plate
20: Polytrack
27: Turf – Milkwood Stakes
30 May: Polytrack
