Time for Christmas trainers to collect presents at Fairview
IT is the last thoroughbred horse racing action before Christmas at Fairview today and some trainers might want to stay away from the winner’s box.
Trainers who are not regular visitors to the winners’ circle are labelled as Christmas trainers, meaning a trainer who produces a winner now and again.
It is very close to Christmas now and the time is ripe for those trainers who are not regulars to the number one box to collect their presents at the Polytrack.
Let us be honest – racing in Port Elizabeth has become very competitive and there are quite a few trainers who can be called Christmas trainers, all in good spirit of course.
This might be the meeting for champion trainer Alan Greeff to take a breather and make way for the Christmas trainers, but he probably wants to get to the 50 mark as soon as possible.
Since the start of the season in August, the Greeff stable has already notched up 49 winners. It would be a surprise if Greeff does not get to his 50 today.
Other Port Elizabeth trainers who are safe from being labelled Christmas trainers and are enjoying a fine season are Yvette Bremner, Tara Laing and Dorrie Sham, as well as former champion Gavin Smith.
It is always good to see out-of-town trainers at Fairview. Things are very quiet in Kimberley this time of the year and hopefully it will be an enjoyable visit for Stef Miller and Gert Theron.
There are nine races on the Poly and the track is expected to run very fast. It will be all-out action out there and punters are advised to go wide in their bets as there are no standout bankers.
Although it is the right time for Christmas trainers to come into play, the stables of Greeff, Smith and Bremner should produce the bulk of the winners.
Punters can also look forward to racing at Kenilworth in Cape Town tomorrow, where the Southeaster Sprint tops the bill.
It will be the last Fairview meeting of the year next Friday and the action in the new year starts with the Lady’s Bracelet on January 3. Punters’ Pal tips: