Big job for Crown of Gold

THE eight-year-old gelding Crown of Gold will be a sentimental favourite at Fairview in Port Elizabeth today.

He will be aiming for a fourth consecutive win in the race for the Glenlair Trophy, but does have a very tough task.

This race is over 3 200m and trainers will tell you this is not an easy race to win.

You need a very fit horse to do that and to have won it three times in a row is a huge accomplishment for the stable of trainer Tara Laing.

Crown of Gold is not in the same impressive form as last year, when he won with 60kg on his back.

There were encouraging signs for his supporters in his last outing over 2 400m though.

He was finishing strongly to show that he is not without a chance.

He will obviously have no problem with the marathon distance and will enjoy carrying 57.5kg and not 60kg this time.

The worthy favourite that does have to carry 60kg is the Grant Paddock-trained Alghadeer.

He is in tremendous form and won his last two starts, both over 2 400m, very comfortably.

He should get the distance and many punters will see him as a banker.

With that 60kg to carry over 3 600m, one has to be a bit cautious. A lot can happen in such a long race.

Coltrane is also not out of it and has only 56kg to carry.

The winner should come out of these three but there are a few others that might upset the apple cart on their best form.

Port Elizabeth is known for producing some fine long-distance horses and some thrilling races for the Glenlair Trophy and the PE Gold Cup. Today’s battle should be another great one.

The Fairview 1 400m will also be a very exciting affair. Our Icon and Kingvoldt are the main players here.

It looks like we are in for an exciting and competitive meeting.

There is no standout banker but we were on target with the Place Accumulator last week and hope to follow up.

Those who love sprint races will enjoy tomorrow’s feast of gr1-races at Scottsville in Pietermaritzburg.

Punters’ Pal tips for Fairview today are: PA R288 1-6/1-3-14/3-4/2-4/1-2/2-6/5-7-8 PICK6 R1 728 1-2-3-14/3-4-9/2-4-6/1-2-3/2-3-5-6/3-5-7-8