-Henk Steenkamp-
The Western Cape visitors have a wonderful record in the R150 000 Listed East Cape Oaks.
Epikleros, trained by Justin Snaith, will be the sole Western Cape representative this year in the race for three-year-old fillies over 2000m.
Snaith has enjoyed huge success in this race and Epikleros must be respected in Friday’s race scheduled for the Fairview Turf track.
It has almost become impossible for the East Cape trainers to win the Oaks in recent times.
Of the current trainers, champion Gavin Smith last won the Oaks for the Eastern Cape 13 years ago.
On that day Sammy Jo stormed home with Muzi Yeni in the saddle. Yeni will be riding the Snaith filly this Friday.
Since then there was just one other Oaks victory for the locals to celebrate. This was in 2018 when Widow’s Lamp won for the Yvette Bremner stable. Bremner has since retired.
The Oaks is race seven of nine and will jump at 15:35. The R175 000 Fairview Flying Five (NBT) over 1000m is race six at 15:00.
Here is a look at the recent winners of the EC Oaks and the Fairview Flying Five (NBT):
EC OAKS
2023: Virginia Sweet
2022: Bye Bye Bombshell
2021: Swazi Queen
2020: DNR – Covid-19
2019: Madonna
2018: Widow’s Lamp
2017: Fortissimus
2016: Solana
2015: Eros’s Girl
2014: She’s A Pippa
2013: Valor Red
2012: Alvilda
2011: Sammy Jo
2010: Miss Scaramanga
2009: Rafiya
FLYING FIVE
2023: Cliff Top
2022: Whatever Next
2021: What A Winner
2020: DNR – Covid-19
2019: Quinlan
2018: Juan Two Three
2017: Normanz
2016: Villa Del Largo
2015: Insearchofthesun
2014: Tetelestai
2013: Icemberg
2012: Apolo Grey
2011: Cyber Case
2010: Tomcat
2009: Hear The Drums