Fillies and mares in season-opener

IT starts all over again at Fairview today with the first meeting of the new East Cape horseracing season.

There isn’t much time to reflect on the past season, but what a season it was.

Trainer Alan Greeff was a star with his best season yet, just missing out on the record for the most wins in an Eastern Cape season.

Greg Cheyne bettered his own jockey record for the most wins, riding 90 winners, with JP van der Merwe the only other jockey to reach 50 winners at Fairview since last August.

The judges will now get to work to nominate horses for the season awards in the various categories.

The annual awards evening will take place on September 2 at Fairview and it is worth getting a ticket for a great evening out with the Bay racing fraternity.

It is ladies first for the first feature race of the season, when the fillies and mares tackle the Wedgewood Handicap over 2 400m.

It is a bit disappointing that only seven runners will face the starter, but it will be a very interesting and competitive battle. Put as many horses as your budget allows in your bets for this race, as a claim can be made for each one of them to win the race.

The Cape visitor Northern Ballet looks a big runner, especially with Richard Fourie in the saddle. She will probably start as the favourite.

In a Pinnacle Stakes full of quality sprinters over 1 200m, all eyes will be on another Cape visitor, Tevez, trained by Candice Bass-Robinson, who won the July with Marinaresco.

The word from the stable is that this star sprinter is ready to run a big race.

He could be a banker, although he has to travel and take on strong opposition like Captain Alfredo, Normanz and Villa Del Largo.

The Greeff coupling of Zevenastic and Vous Et Var have that upset look about them, so be careful.

Tevez did not win on his previous visit to Fairview when he was also expected to do so.

Today is his chance to make amends.

Punters’ Pal tips:

Fairview: PA R324 4-5-8/1-2/3-4-5-8-12-15/1/3-4-5/4/2-5-9 PICK 6 R1 890 1-2-3/3-4-5-6-8-12-15/1/2-3-4-5-8/1-3-4/2 -3-5-6-9-15