Henk Steenkamp
IT is the clash of the champions when nine runners will face the starter for the R175 000 Lakeside Handicap at the Fairview Turf track on Friday.
The five-year-old gelding Bournemouth (Alan Greeff) is the defending champion in the Non-Black Type event over 2400m.
He has won twice and finished third once from as many starts over this track and trip. Bournemouth knows how to win this race but is not the only champion in the race.
Bournemouth takes on the Eastern Cape Champion Stayer of last season, Zatara Magic (Gavin Smith), and two Algoa Cup winners in Firealley (Jacques Strydom) and Han Solo (Glen Kotzen).
In the Listed Betway Algoa Cup in October Bournemouth finished 2.5 lengths behind Firealley but is 5kgs better off at the weights now.
Firealley has a big mass of62kgs to carry but is having a great season and can win again.
Han Solo is visiting from the Western Cape and will be competitive. He has won twice and finished second once from as many starts.
Zatara Magic won easily over 2200m on the poly in his last start. He could be dangerous when he gets to the front early in the race.
Harold The Duke (Kelly Mitchley) stays all day, is in great form and has a huge chance to beat all these champions with only 52kgs to carry.
The other four runners in the race are capable of causing an upset but it is a tough task in what should be a very interesting and competitive race.
The feature is race seven of eight and is off at 15:55.
The first race at 12:25 gets the Bipot underway. The Place Accumulator starts with the second race at 12:55.
Pick Six players can get involved from the third race at 13:30.
As always, let’s give it a go!
This article was originally published on TAB and is reposted here with permission.
