Greeff does it for PE’s fans

ALAN Greeff is becoming one of Port Elizabeth’s biggest sporting heroes.

The trophy cabinets are rather empty in the East Cape and it will help if Greeff can keep some of those horse racing cups in the Friendly City.

That was the case last Friday when the stable of the East Cape’s champion trainer secured victory in the Champion Juvenile Cup.

Kimberley Star won the race with Charles Ndlovu in the saddle, and oh man, did the local fans enjoy this victory at Fairview!

Do not underestimate provincialism in horse racing. The East Cape claimed this victory over the Western Cape in no uncertain manner.

There was even a hug for Greeff from the usually reserved general manager Luciano Passerini in front of the grandstand shortly after the victory.

The win was made a lot sweeter because it was supposed to be a case of just rocking up at Fairview and taking the prize-money back to Cape Town for trainer Joey Ramsden and top jockey Anton Marcus.

Big Pleasure was the odds on favourite. It was the only ride for the day for Marcus, who was relaxing in the jockey room while his colleagues were giving it their all.

Marcus got a big surprise instead of big pleasure when he tried to get the Cape Town raider going in the Fairview straight and the Port Elizabeth horses were travelling much better.

Ndlovu kept his cool and it is nice to see this Port Elizabeth jock winning some of the big races for the Greeff yard.

Cape Town jockey Greg Cheyne is the first choice rider for Greeff, but Ndlovu is quick to pounce when he gets a chance to show his mettle.

Greeff’s work is not over as he has a record in his sights before the East Cape season comes to and end on July 31.

With 141 winners for the season behind his name, Greeff has already made sure of his 11th trainer’s title and his best season ever.

Now he is going for the season record of 150 wins.

There are only four meetings left, starting with today’s action on the Poly.

Punters’ Pal tips: Fairview: PA R450 4-5-7/1/1-2-5/3/1-2/1-3-5-6-7 /1-4-5-7-10 PICK6 R1 960 1/1-2-4-5-7-11-13-14/3/1-2-3-4-6 /1-2-3-5-6-7-8/1-3-4-5-7-8-10