-Henk Steenkamp-
After flopping spectacularly last year, Bournemouth will be back to try and put the record straight at the Fairview Turf track on Friday.
The five-year-old Canford Cliffs gelding from the Alan Greeff stable is the favourite to win the R175 000 Port Elizabeth Gold Cup (Non-Black Type) over 3200m.
The Gold Cup is one of two feature races on Friday. The other one is the R150 000 Listed East Cape Paddock Stakes.
The biggest talking point though is around Bournemouth’s attempt at the marathon distance after finishing more than thirteen lengths behind the winner Battleground (Lucky Houdalakis) in last year’s event.
This time there is much more confidence about Bournemouth’s attempt. He is in tremendous form and will be aiming at a fourth consecutive win.
He is also nominated to run in the Grade 3 World Pool Gold Cup in Durban later in the month.
It won’t be easy to carry 62kgs over 3200m, but Bournemouth is the class horse in the race and best weighted to win.
The consistent and gutsy Zatara Magic (4th last year), trained by Gavin Smith, is always up for the fight and should challenge strongly.
Juan Carlos is another consistent campaigner. He finished second last year and the Tara Laing trained seven-year-old will no doubt try to go one better.
These three horses should fight it for that magnificent trophy, but over the marathon distance there is always a chance that one of the light weights can cause the upset.
There is a weight difference of 12kgs between Bournemouth and some of the runners but it will still be very tough to beat the favourite. Bournemouth is our pick to get it right this time.
The presence of four Western Cape stables gives the R150 000 Listed East Cape Paddock Stakes a wide open look.
This race over 1600m is the second leg of the Eastern Cape Challenge for fillies and mares, but the bonus of winning all three legs is out of the door already.
The winner of the first leg, Sweetie Darling, won’t be taking her place on Friday.
The visitors Time For Love, Gimmethatpearl, Royals, Fun Zone and Greenlightalltheway did not make the trip from the Western Cape to come and watch the Springboks play – they want to win and must be respected.
Luna Halo and Red Sash will lead the local onslaught in what should be an exciting affair.
It is great that all three jockeys involved in the national title race, Richard Fourie, Craig Zackey and Gavin Lerena, will be in action at Fairview.
There is also a title chase in the very first race of the afternoon.
The Gardmed Ambulance Service Work Riders Maiden Plate will decide who is the East Cape champion work rider of the season.
And don’t miss the fifth race where top horses like Bingwa, Firealley and Golden Peace will be in action.
This exciting meeting starts at 12:00. The Gold Cup (race 6) jumps at 14:55, followed by the Paddock Stakes (race 7) at 15:30.