MORE AT STAKE
There is more at stake than a win for a handful of runners in the Pinnacle Stakes over 2200m on Friday at the Fairview Polytrack, writes Henk Steenkamp.
Five of the nine runners who will line up for the seventh race on Friday’s card, have been nominated to run in next weekend’s Listed Algoa Cup over 2000m.
They are Tarantino, Quasimodo, Peace In Our World, Bournemouth and Red William.
The winner of Friday’s race should come from these five horses but they will also use this as preparation for the upcoming big race.
Bournemouth (Alan Greeff) is the horse to beat and will be looking to make it four wins in a row. The four-year-old Canford Cliffs gelding’s regular jockey Richard Fourie will be in the saddle.
Quasimodo looks the biggest danger, with Peace In Our World and Red William others to keep an eye on. Apprentice jockey Nirvan Nastili will be claiming 4kgs which makes Red William, only carrying 49.5kgs, a runner.
The meeting starts at 12:40 with a competitive looking Maiden Plate, which is also the first leg of the Bipot.
Only six runners will compete in the second race when the Place Accumulator starts.
Champion trainer Gavin Smith has a strong hand in the third race, the first leg of the Pick Six, with Global Force and Tuscan Gold.
Runners not to leave out of bets later in the day along with Bournemouth, are Colorama (race 5) and Grand Destiny (race 6).
Opera Swing and Trip To Barberton are the key runners in the eighth and last race which is off at 16:40.
Find our tips on race day at Henk Se Wenk.