Earth and Sea clash again

Earth Hour and Marmara Sea have met three times, and after two close seconds, the former finally was able to put an end to the unbeaten Fairview Polytrack run of Alan Greeff’s charge.

That came in the second leg of the WSB Polytrack Challenge over 1400m last month.

There is a lot at stake for Juan Nel’s charge in the final leg of the Poly Challenge over 1600m today, as not only can he claim the winner’s purse of R48,000 but as no horse is in line to win all three legs, Earth Hour is hot favourite to claim the R50,000 Consolation Bonus on offer for the runner with the most points.

Two conditions apply to be in line for the bonus. The horse has to compete in all three legs and has to have won at least one of the races.

Only Earth Hour and Dubula will have run in all three, but Dubula has not won a leg.

Amazingly just a neck has separated Earth Hour and Marmara Sea in their three meetings but last time Greeff’s charge lost ground at the start and was finishing strongly.

That was his second race after a layoff and over the extra 200m and with Greg Cheyne, who is unbeaten in six races on the Polytrack with this gelding, back in the irons, he could get the better of Earth Hour this time.

Callan Murray, on the other hand, will be having his first ride on Earth Hour.

Sailing Lizard is unbeaten at Fairview since moving to Gavin Smith’s yard and has built up a record of four wins.

Nimcha did trainer Gary Alexander proud when under his care and is an interesting recruit for Cliffie Miller in the Eastern Cape. He finished fourth on the Greyville Polytrack and could be the surprise package today.