Upsets could be on the cards as battle continues on Fairview polytrack

THE battle continues today on the Fairview polytrack while the turf track gets the treatment to be ready for the Algoa Cup weekend next month.

So far this season, the polytrack has been behaving and there have not been too many upsets.

Trainer Grant Paddock did produce a winner last Friday that paid nearly R40 on the tote for a win and R6 for a place.

With this win, Paddock might claim the unofficial title of the King of Upsets on the polytrack.

The PE trainers have been spreading the upsets around recently, but Paddock can take over the mantle from trainers like Barry Steenkamp, Hekkie Strydom and the late Nic Claassen, who used to produce those big upsets in years gone by.

Paddock has a good record on the poly and has two runners that can make their presence felt in today’s main race.

He saddles Scarlet Berry and Chili Chocolate in the Walmer Handicap for fillies and mares.

Chili Chocolate won this race last year and took the award for best mare on the polytrack last season.

Her stablemate looks to be more in form and could be the biggest threat to the favourite from the Justin Snaith stable, Nima, to be ridden by Grant van Niekerk.

Van Niekerk will no doubt feel a bit under pressure to deliver the goods after Richard Fourie and Andrew Fortune had some wonderful rides in recent Port Elizabeth meetings for the Snaith stable.

Another race not to be missed is the first leg of the Place Accumulator when Jo Malone and Clear Sailing take each other on in a Conditions Plate.

These two mares both won their last two races in impressive fashion.

The race card for today’s meeting arrived in PE only yesterday morning after printing problems.

This added to the pressure on all role-players as it is difficult to plan your day without the race card.

Among the late arrivals there was even a race card for tonight’s meeting in Durban, which landed in the hands of jockey Shannon Devoy – let’s hope he pitches up at Fairview, not Greyville!

Punters’ Pal tips for Fairview:

PA R432

1-2/2-3-7-9/2-3-11/2-5/6/2-10-12/4-7-10

PICK6 R1 920

2-3-7-8-9-10/2-3-11-12/1-2-5-7/6/2-3-5-6-12/2-4-7-10