Massive race – and party – at Fairview

IT is the biggest horse racing weekend of the year in the Eastern Cape – with the highlight the running of the prestigious Algoa Cup at Fairview on Sunday.

The Port Elizabeth trainers will once again try to keep the Algoa Cup in the Bay, but the out-of-town raiders look very strong.

It is a compliment for racing in the Eastern Cape that six stables from outside the province will be represented at the R350 000 race over 2 000 metres.

Jacques Strydom was the last Port Elizabeth trainer to win the Algoa Cup. That was back in 2009, when Surfin’ USA just got home with the trainer’s brother, Piere, in the saddle.

It is very interesting that the last two winners of the Algoa Cup are back for another bite at the cherry.

Nebula won it last year for Cape Town trainer Brett Crawford and in 2015, Stonehenge gave Gauteng-based South African champion Sean Tarry his first ever win in Port Elizabeth.

Both horses have a winning chance again, while some of the other raiders like Loadshedder, Ollivander, Master’s Eye and Platinum Prince also have strong claims.

The Bay trainers make no secret about the fact that they desperately want to win this cup race, but who can stop the raiders?

Alghadeer, trained by Grant Paddock, looks up to the task – but does carry a hefty 60kg, which makes his task very difficult.

Among the lighter weights, the Yvette Bremner-trained Gimme The Stars could be one to keep an eye on.

Not only in the Algoa Cup, but throughout today’s and Sunday’s meetings the visiting Cape Town stables look very strong.

Today’s main race is the Racing Association Stakes for three year olds.

This Racing Association Stakes race has been won by horses that went on to win the July, like Big City Life and Bold Silvano, while others became international stars – Paris Perfect and Lizard’s Desire (runner-up in 2008).

Look out for another potential superstar in today’s race – Cape Town trainer Glen Kotzen has a wonderful record in this race and looks ready to strike again with Pack Leader.

It is not only a weekend of top-class racing, there is also a huge party – with racing combining with fashion shows, charity events, dancers, acapella singers, food stalls and lots of prize giveaways and lucky draws.

Punters’ Pal tips for Fairview: