IN THE SADDLE | Nomads leave their mark at Fairview

It is a pity that the Nomads Eastern Cape Club has only one race day a year at the Fairview track in Greenbushes.

Members of the Nomads made their presence felt at this past Friday’s meeting. They created a vibrant atmosphere, which is always extra motivation for the respective stables to put their best foot forward.

The Nomads got the opportunity to see some of those beautiful thoroughbred animals from close up, and met top jockeys and trainers.

Former champion jockey, Gavin Venter, these days the right-hand man of trainer, Tara Laing, even dressed up for the occasion.

Venter really looked dapper in his Nomads blazer, rounded off by the cool hat which also helped on a sunny day.

All was for a good cause, as it was in aid of Yokhuselo Haven, a shelter which has been going for 35 years already and is doing wonderful work to help women and their children affected by domestic violence.

Five stables shared the nine winners on the day, with trainers, Gavin Smith, Alan Greeff and Cliffie Miller, doing particularly well. They will all take each other on again this coming Friday. It is yet another competitive-looking meeting of nine races, and a welcome return to the grass surface after a long stint on the poly.

The Poly will be back soon though, and in a big way, on Friday, August 25, with the first leg of the very popular Nelson Mandela Bay Racing Poly Challenge.

There are other Challenges over three legs in the Eastern Cape, but the Poly Challenge is by far the one which creates the most interest and excitement among the Fairview stables.

The Challenge was introduced in 2016, and no horse has been able to win all three races for the very fat bonus.

It is not easy to win the three races, all over different distances, in a relatively short period of time.

A feature of the Poly Challenge is the many nail-biting finishes it has produced over the years. It is extremely competitive racing, and it will be no different in the upcoming Challenge.

The remaining Fairview meetings this month are on the next two Fridays and on Monday, August 28