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THERE is never a dull moment at Nelson Mandela Bay Racing, when Gavin Smith and Alan Greeff do battle.
These two top trainers certainly know how to make things interesting at the Fairview track in Greenbushes.
Last Friday’s meeting was a memorable one for both of them. They became the first to saddle 100 winners in the current South African season, and they did it in consecutive races.
Smith started the meeting (eight races) on 99 winners for the season, but it was Greeff who got his nose in front.
Greeff had 96 winners, but won the first four races to get to 100. Smith got his hundred in the next race.
It is once again developing into a nail biting battle for the East Cape trainers’ title between these two heavyweights.
With three months left before the season ends, there are 16 Fairview meetings to go. Last season it went down to the very last meeting when Smith finally clinched the deal with 126 winners, five more than Greeff.
There is no doubt that Cape Town-based jockey, Richard Fourie, already has the East Cape jockey title in the bag.
He also won the title last season with 98 winners, riding mostly for Greeff’s stable.
Fourie is on a serious record chase. He is riding at meetings all over the country to try to better the South African season record of 334 winners.
The bookmakers Hollywoodbets have promised Fourie R1 million if he passes the record set in 1999 by Anthony Delpech.
Fourie is well on target to shatter the record.
The Fairview meetings are very important for Fourie in his record chase, but he is also setting goals specifically for the Eastern Cape.
After just missing out on 100 Fairview winners last season, Fourie, now on 88, should easily pass that mark this year.
The only jockey to manage that was Greg Cheyne with 116 in 2019.
“There are three months left. I am hungry (for more winners), so let’s get going,” Fourie said.
His target is 140 winners for the Fairview season.
Friday’s meeting is again on the Poly surface, but racing fans are already looking forward to the Turf action.
The next Turf meeting will be the big one, Derby Day on May 10, one of the biggest race days of the year at Fairview.
The winner of the first two legs of the East Cape Sophomore Challenge for three-year-olds, Fairy Knight, has been entered for the Derby. The Derby is the third and final leg.
Fairy Knight tops the list of 16 runners nominated for the TAB East Cape Derby. Trained by Greeff, he won the Ibhayi Stakes (1st leg) and the East Cape Guineas (2nd leg).
He can secure a bonus of R250 000 for his connections if he wins the Derby. The big question is if he has the stamina to handle the distance of 2 400m.
