Henk Steenkamp
THE Western Cape raiders found it tough going in the Fairview feature races this season, but Hat’s Pride will test the locals in the R175 000 Founders Trophy on Friday.
Trainer Glen Kotzen always visits Fairview with victory in mind and Hat’s Pride is a huge runner in this Non-Black Type event over 1600m on the poly surface.
Hat’s Pride has won his only attempt on the Fairview Poly, is drawn well and carries a nice galloping weight of 53kgs.
Muzi Yeni will be in the saddle and if the five-year-old gelding enjoyed his trip from the Western Cape, he will be a tough horse to beat.
It won’t be for Hat’s Pride. He takes on tough local opposition in a competitive affair.
As always the East Cape champion trainer Alan Greeff has a big say. Greeff will saddle half the field, but with Richard Fourie aboard, Guy Gibson is the stable elect.
He finished strongly when he won his last start over 1400m and from a widish draw Fourie will probably again launch his run for the line from the back of the field.
Brenden James from the Juan Nel stable is a contender for the win with S’manga Khumalo in the irons. After a disappointing last effort over 2000m, Brenden James will be much more at home over this distance.
The winner should come from this trio, but Bingwa and Joker Man could also be in the mix in what should be a very interesting race.
The Founders Trophy is race 7 on the card of 8 races. The 10 runners will face the starter at 16:05.
An open looking Open Maiden over 2200m gets the meeting started at 12:35. It is the first leg of the Bipot.
Witching Hour makes her Fairview debut in the second race, an Open Maiden over 1600m, and is weighted to win for the inform Zietsman Oosthuizen.
It is the first leg of the Place Accumulator at 13:10 and the three-year-old filly can strongly be considered as a banker.
Pick Six players get involved from the third race, which is a Conditions Plate for fillies and mares over 1200m.
Virgin River (Greeff) and Unconquerable Lady (Dean Smith) are the main role players here.
After just missing out on victory in his last two starts, Wild Fig looks like the Pick Six banker of the day when he tackles the MR 66 Handicap, race 6 at 15:30.
His biggest danger is King Rahul (Oosthuizen) who is in great form. King Rahul has won three of his last four starts.
Some interesting clashes await us on the poly - as always, let’s give it a go!