Greeff holds strong hand on polytrack
IT is back to bread-and-butter racing at Fairview in Port Elizabeth today after a wonderful racing festival last weekend.
There are nine races on the polytrack and although we take a dip in quality, it will be as competitive as ever out there.
After a bit of rain, the polytrack is in great shape. It is a very fast track and there will be no hanging back again today.
The stable of champion trainer Alan Greeff was a bit quiet on the big Derby day, but looks set to hit back strongly. He has a strong hand in most of the races.
Gavin Smith had a good Saturday and with his stable in form, punters will be happy to banker Fly Peg Fly (race 6) in many bets.
The Smith stable is still enjoying Saturday’s victory in the Dahlia Plate for two year olds in which the filly Joking scored a sensational victory.
Smith also did well in the big race, the WSB East Cape Derby, by running second and third behind Cape Town raider Dorset Noble.
The visitor looked an absolute picture in the parade ring and won impressively. Punters should keep an eye on this promising gelding from the Candice Bass-Robinson stable.
It was not just a weekend of fine racing, the party animals also thoroughly enjoyed themselves, among them cricket legend Makhaya Ntini.
The former Proteas paceman said he was no stranger to the sport of kings as he was a capable horse rider in the rural areas in his younger days.
Promotions manager Karin le Roux and her Fairview team must be congratulated on a well organised event.
There was a good crowd despite the chilly weather and some patrons eager to get away early to support the Kings against the Sharks. The betting pools looked good and the Friday-Saturday double header is a successful recipe.
Hopefully, next year’s Mr PE finalists will make a better effort in the human race that brought the festival to a close.
It was not quite a match for the famous last race at the Durban July. Come on guys, don’t you know about the dress code for these races?
Punters’ Pal tips:
PA (R384) 1-2/1-2/1-2-3-4-6-11/3/6/2-4-5-8/1-3-9-14 PICK 6 (R1 584) 1-2-5/1-2-3-4-5-6-8-9-11-13-15/3/2-6/2-4-5-8/ 1-2-3-4-9-14