March is a really big month for Nelson Mandela Bay Racing when quality races combine with a massive charity drive. The action already got underway on the poly surface yesterday but there are still four March meetings to look forward to.
On March 14, the East Cape Fillies Nursery will be a fantastic race and the meeting on March 21 features two big races, the East Cape Guineas and the Sprint Cup. Not only will we see classy racing on March 21, which is a public holiday, but this is also the most important day of the year for the East Cape Horse Care Unit (ECHCH) based in Walmer.
This will be the ECHCU Charity Day which is supported by various sponsors. Make sure you book your spot if you want to be part of the hospitality on the day, or you can just join in the fun on the day (free entry).
With only five months remaining, it has become an important stage of the season where the top races play a huge part in determining which horses will be crowned champions at the end of July. This past Friday the ultra-consistent Splicethemainbrace became the front-runner to be named as the champion three-year-old filly in the province for the season.
She won the Breeders Guineas in fine style for the champion stable of Alan Greeff, with champion jockey, Richard Fourie, in the saddle.
Splicethemainbrace is a gutsy filly but can be stubborn at times and it wasn’t an easy ride for Fourie. Splicethemainbrace has now won nine races from 11 starts – an incredible record!
The two feature races at the previous meeting will also be important when the judges convene to make decisions. My Best Shot is in the running to be named the best three-year-old after he won the Ibhayi Stakes. He has been a real star for the Greeff stable. My Best Shot has now won seven races from 13 starts.
Fourie was in the saddle and is full of praise for this lovely big horse.
“He is a happy horse with a wonderful nature. He does everything for you and he makes me and the trainer look good,” Fourie said of My Best Shot.
My Best Shot’s next mission will probably be the Guineas at the public holiday meeting.
Greeff also won the Lady’s Pendant for fillies and mares with the four-year-old Gocekwithlove. Her name is now on the short list in the competitive category of older fillies and mares.
Greeff made a successful journey to Cape Town last month when he won the R1 million Cape of Good Hope Nursery with Direct Hit. It was a last-minute decision to enter the two-year-old filly for the race and she produced a top-class performance.
Direct Hit has won R642 500 from just two races and it will be very exciting to follow her career.
She might be in action in the Fillies Nursery next Friday and will most probably be aimed at the prestigious Alan Robertson Championship on May 31 to take on the best two-year-old fillies in the country at Scottsville in Pietermaritzburg.
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