TOUGH FOR THE CHAMP

Henk Steenkamp

ZATARA Magic will have a tough task to successfully defend the Glenlair Trophy in what should be a fascinating feature race at the Fairview Turf track on Friday afternoon.

The East Cape reigning Champion Stayer faces eight worthy challengers in this Non-Black Type event over 2800m – race 7 at 16:10.

The race is a test of stamina but Zatara Magic, trained by Gavin Smith, will have no problem in this regard.

He will have to lift his game though as he was beaten by more than a length by Bournemouth last time over 2700m.

They meet on the same weight terms in Friday’s feature.

Bournemouth flopped in this race last year but seems to be ready to put the record straight this time.

He is not the stable elect though as champion jockey Richard Fourie opted to ride the four-year filly Joy And Peace instead for the inform Alan Greeff stable.

The East Cape reigning Horse of the Season has been priced up as the favourite to win the race. The males will have to be at their best to keep her out of the winners’ enclosure.

Firealley has been ultra-consistent this season but has a tough task to carry 62kgs to victory. Trainer Jacques Strydom knows how to win these stayers races and one would be reluctant to leave Firealley out of your calculations.

The Tara Laing trained Juan Carlos is certainly capable of beating the runners which are more fancied in the betting.

He has no stamina issues and that galloping weight of 52.5kgs is a huge plus.

Great Affair, the other Laing runner, is the biggest outsider in the race.

He finished third in last year’s race which indicates it will again be a competitive affair with all the runners in with a money chance.

The meeting starts at 12:40 and the Pick Six gets underway with the third race at 13:50.

Asinantanga (Smith) could be a popular banker in the first leg after he just missed out on victory in his last two starts.

Luna Halo (Greeff) looks very hard to oppose in the fourth race, a Pinnacle Stakes for fillies and mares over 1400m, the first leg of the Jackpot at 14:25.

She is our banker on the day – as always, let’s give it a go!