Racing moves up a notch

It is time to get the new horse racing season into top gear.

The season started off a bit slowly but Friday’s meeting is certainly the real business with the Jockey Club Stakes topping the bill at Fairview.

It will be good to see some action on the turf track after the last two meetings were moved to the poly track due to some very welcome rain.

All the role players in East Cape racing can be proud of these two successful meetings in difficult conditions.

The forced change of surface did not help the punters to find the winners but it was heartening to still see some huge betting pools that showed that Fairview racing is popular among SA racing fans.

The wet conditions did not make it easy for the trainers to get their charges cherry ripe for Friday and it is also not getting any easier for punters to catch those big payouts.

We do take a step up in quality with the Jockey Club Stakes and the Speeders Stakes to add to the excitement.

The Cape Town trainers Justin Snaith, Joey Ramsden and Mike Stewart will be involved at the meeting with some very lively runners.

Stewart does not have a runner in the big races but his gelding Fujin must not be left out of any bets in the fourth race, the first leg of the jackpot.

In the Jockey Club Stakes, a race for fillies and mares over 2,000m, Ramsden and Snaith will make it difficult for the locals to keep the prize money of R150,000 in the Friendly City.

Ramsden’s Fresnaye is a worthy favourite and top jockey Bernard Fayd’Herbe makes the trip from Cape Town to try and make sure this filly gets to the winning post first.

Snaith also has the services of a top Cape Town jockey for his mare Konkola. The fearless Richard Fourie will be in the saddle.

Two local stars, Beataboutthebush and Widow’s Lamp, will have many supporters in their bid to make it a home town victory.

Punters’ Pal tips Fairview

PA R324 7-8-11/1-6/1-4-12/4-5-8/12/2/2-8-9

Pick Six R1,800 1-3-4-6-10/1-4-12/4-5-810/1-2-6/2-7/1-2-4-8-9