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There is never a dull moment at the Fairview race track in Greenbushes, when top trainers, Gavin Smith and Alan Greeff, are around.
After a gruelling duel for the East Cape trainers’ title last season, they are at it again.
It is way too early in the current season, which started this month, but the supporters of both camps are already pointing out small milestones.
Smith got off to a flyer last season, but Greeff caught up and the title was only decided at the very last meeting.
The Smith supporters are already urging him not to leave it till the last meeting this season, while the other camp was very happy with the treble saddled by Greeff this past Friday.
The first of many small duels between the two big stables is who will end the first month of the new season with the most winners. Both trainers already have seven winners apiece, after three meetings.
To make things even more exciting, there is an extra Fairview meeting this month. Racing takes place every Friday at Fairview, but now and again there is action on a Monday as will be the case on the 28th.
Women’s Month is coming to an end, but the four Fairview lady trainers have certainly made their presence felt in the first month of the season.
They have all been impressive. Sharon Kotzen and Kelly Mitchley have two winners each already, and Tara Laing opened her winning account for the season with a fabulous win by the consistent Gunsmoke this past Friday.
Montana Turner has been desperately unlucky not to have a winner. She had two second places and two thirds, and the winners must surely be just around the corner.
Also around the corner is a prestigious event for Nelson Mandela Bay Racing at Fairview on Saturday, September 8.
The Racehorse Owners Association will host their annual awards where the human and equine stars of the past season will be crowned.
Some of the awards are based on statistics, like the trainers’ title, and the winners are already known.
There are nine different categories for the horses which are a secret though, including the ultimate award for the East Cape Horse of the Year. The judging panel has done their work and racing fans just have to wait now to find out who the winners are.
After they dominated the past season, one can expect that the stables of Smith and Greeff will pick up most of the awards.
Before we get to the awards there is still plenty of action at Fairview with two Polytrack meetings coming up on Friday and Monday respectively, and the Jockey Club Stakes will be the highlight on September 1 when there is a return to the Turf track.
