Fairview gets ready for another big day

THE Algoa Cup weekend might be over but horse racing fans can get ready for another huge race day at Fairview.

In two weeks’ time, Fairview will be hosting the first leg of the International Jockey Challenge. Last year’s meeting was a huge success and this should be another cracker.

There can be no doubt any more that the local racing team can deliver some of the best racing days you can get.

The past weekend had everything. There were quality races on a lovely surface, huge betting pools, a strong charity drive, fine catering, lots of entertainment and some serious partying.

Maybe Port Elizabeth is on the way to the situation with the Melbourne Cup, where the slogan is: the race that stops a nation.

That is stretching it a bit, but the Algoa Cup race day can no doubt rate among the most popular in the country.

What I would love to see is Fairview getting a Saturday meeting. I have no doubt that will go down well with the racing public.

Unfortunately for residents, Port Elizabeth could not produce the winner of the Algoa Cup, with the Cape Town raiders taking the first two places. Alghadeer did the best of the PE horses in third place.

Although the Algoa Cup is back in Cape Town, the local trainers did very well at the meetings on the Friday and Sunday.

It is not the situation any more where the visiting trainers dominated and some local stables performed very well.

That meant the local trainers had to attend the customary winning television interviews straight after the races.

Since last Friday, this has become a bit of a challenge for some.

There is a lovely new interview room but to get there a few steep steps have to be negotiated. Expect some out-of-breath trainers giving their comments!

Last Friday, we tipped you a solid Pick Six twice.

Let’s see if we can follow up when the action returns to the polytrack today.

We drop in quality but it will be another competitive meeting and a chance to stock up for tomorrow’s Charity Mile in Johannesburg. Punters’ Pal tips:

Fairview: PA R 384 5/1-8/1-4-5/1-5-8-10/1-2/1-3/1-2-3-4 PICK 6 R 2000 1-8/1-3-4-5-7/1-4-5-8-10/1-2/1-2-3-5/ 1-2-3-4-14