Back to polytrack after thrill of Algoa Cup

HORSE racing in Port Elizabeth returns to the polytrack today after a very successful Algoa Cup weekend.

The Algoa Cup went to a Cape Town stable once again, but all the role-players in Eastern Cape racing can be very proud of the great event they produced.

With the weather playing along on Sunday, it was good to see a nice crowd enjoying the family fun day.

The racing fraternity usually combines its big days with charity and the local Horse Care Unit got a welcome boost from the weekend.

Another pleasing aspect was the involvement of some new sponsors, much needed in the sport of kings.

The weekend got off to a shaky start when the Friday meeting was surprisingly moved from the turf track to the poly after the morning rains.

Conditions still looked fine for racing on the grass, but the move ensured the turf track was in fine fettle for the Sunday.

The highlights on Friday were the performances of a young horse and an old horse.

The young one was the threeyear-old Pack Leader that won the RA Stakes in impressive fashion for Cape Town trainer Glen Kotzen.

The old man, eight-year-old Villa Del Largo, was the other star on the day, destroying the opposition in the Cradock Place Stakes.

That was the 12th victory of his career and he is getting close to R1-million in prize money won on the race tracks in South Africa.

In the Algoa Cup, Cape Town raider Nebula defended his title successfully, his winning time a new course record.

Although the horse was a clear winner, one must compliment his jockey, Bernard Fayd’Herbe, on an excellent ride.

Stormy Eclipse was the first Port Elizabeth horse home in third place.

Trainer Tara Laing can be very proud of this effort.

Port Elizabeth racing will also be under the spotlight in tomorrow’s big meeting at Turffontein.

The local fans will be right behind the six-year-old gelding, Classify, in the Charity Mile, and the three-yearold filly, Via Seattle, in the Princess Charlene Stakes.

Punters’ Pal tips:

Fairview: PA R384 3-5-7-8/1-2-9-10/3-7-9/1-3-4-6/2-3/2/2 PICK 6 R1 680 1-2-3-4-5-9-10/3-4-7-9/1-2-3-4-6/1-2-3/2-8/2-5