Odyssey continues at Fairview

There is an old expression that states that a change is as good as a holiday.

It is certainly an idiom that often applies to racehorses, especially those who move to the Eastern Cape. Maybe there is something in the air – or in the case of Port Elizabeth – the wind, that invigorates horses in that province, but we have seen many horses improve markedly.

Yes, we all understand that the top level of competition is weaker than you will find in the other centres but so many horses have found a new lease on life, even if they stay with the same trainer.

Divine Odyssey is one of those horses. He has always been with Johan Janse van Vuuren but just when you thought he was coming to the end of his racing career, he gets sent off to Port Elizabeth and then reels off four successive victories.

Neither turf nor Polytrack makes an iota of difference to the seven-year-old gelding, and he just keeps thumping the opposition with consummate ease.

Today he could make it five out of five which is never an easy task, but he has already beaten many of those he meets again in Race 5, a Pinnacle Stakes over 2000m on the Polytrack.

He is the best-weighted runner by at least 2.5kg and he also has built up an amazing rapport with apprentice Kyle Strydom who has ridden him to all four of his victories at Fairview. As a result, he looks a likely banker in all bets.

Interestingly Marmara Sea could provide the main threat to Divine Odyssey, arrived in Port Elizabeth a maiden and has since reeled off 11 wins since joining Alan Greeff. Nine of those victories are on the Polytrack which explains his improvement, but he could be questionable over 2000m.