Alghadeer tops weights
ADVANTAGE: PADDOCK’S CHARGE NOW 3KG BETTER OFF WITH LAST YEAR’S WINNER, NEBULA Fun-filled weekend of racing to be had in Port Elizabeth.
Alghadeer, third behind Nebula in last year’s race, has been allocated top weight for the R350,000 Algoa Cup over 2000m at Fairview Racecourse in Port Elizabeth.
The meeting on Sunday 29 October forms part of a two-day festival of racing in the Eastern Cape.
On Friday 27 October the R150,000 Racing Association Stakes for three-year-olds will be run.
Last year Grant Paddock’s charge had to give 4kg to winner Nebula but this year Joey Ramsden’s runner will have to carry 59kg and just 1kg will separate them.
Sean Tarry-trained Stonehenge, who won this race in 2015 carrying 52kg, will now carry just 54.5kg and that must delight his trainer.
Some top horses have won the Racing Association Stakes over the years, including Bold Silvano who went on to win the Durban July, and last year Gold Standard.
Once again this race has been well supported and it will be interesting to see where the winner goes after this race.
Out-of-towners wanting to fly in, and indeed any local who enjoys a day at the races, can anticipate a fun-filled weekend.
There’s a nine-race programme in prospect but plenty of non-racing fare will keep the whole family entertained throughout the afternoon.
Lance du Plessis from Algoa FM will broadcast his show live from the racecourse from 9am to noon when the racing action begins.
Between races guests can enjoy the versatile sounds of Legato, a popular five-man acapella group, and the energetic Psyko Souljahz dancers.
Fashionistas have not been left out, with two lucky draw giveaways being planned for the day.
An extensive kids zone to keep the children occupied while their parents enjoy the more adult entertainment offers a number of activities, including zipline, funland, sports obstacle and racetrack inflatables, a fun-for-all slide, a large train, sumo suits with a boxing ring and face painting.
The eight-race Friday programme also includes the R110,000 Cradock Place Stakes over 1200m. Call 076-480-3739 for hospitality.
On the Saturday trainer Dorrie Sham and her husband, Mark, will be hosting an outing to The Greek, a Jeffreys Bay restaurant, and part of the proceeds will go to the EC Horse Care Unit. Anybody interested should call Sham on 082-572-0505.
The EC Horse Unit will also be the beneficiary of any money made at a yard sale and brunch at the Grass Roof Restaurant, off Seaview Road. For more information, call 041-366-1594.
For more information visit www.itsarush.co.za or telephone 076-480-3739.