Racing on - PARADE MAGAZINE

The upgrades at Fairview race course in PortElizabeth created an atmosphere of excitementand anticipation that laid a solid platformfor 2013, which should be a tremendous one for theSport of Kings in the East Cape.In the Friendly City the slogan of the provincial rugbyside, the EP Kings, is “On the Rise”. The Kings struggleto convince supporters that they are indeed “On theRise”, but in the case of horse racing in the provincethere is no doubt that this slogan would be more thanappropriate.The new Fairview facilities left the patrons breathlesswhen they first experienced it in November. Now theycan enjoy their racing in a high class environmentthat includes an exclusive area for the members ofThe <strong>Racing</strong> Association.New additionBut as they say in those irritating TV commercials:Wait, that’s not all. The Poly track will also be a newaddition to Fairview in 2013. “In October we had extremeamounts of rain but everything is on track again.At this stage we hope to have the Poly track completeat the end of July,” said Phumelela East Cape manager,Luciano Passerini.“After that we will have to get the horses use to the surface.This means we will probably not race on the Polytrack in the season 2012/2013 but is exciting times forus and we looking forward to what lies ahead for uswith our new facilities and new track. It will attract alot more interest to East Cape racing,” he added.And those who love racing at PE’s other track will beglad to know that racing will continue at Arlington.The popular Grade 3 East Cape Derby, powered byRecall Effective Security Systems, will move from Arlingtonto Fairview in May next year and it is alreadypredicted that it will be the biggest Derby in its history.Fairview’s upgraded facilities.Tough seasonLet’s get back to the tough 2011/2012 season. The recordrainfall made life difficult for everyone and youbetter believe experienced trainers Gavin Smith andAlan Greeff when they say it was one of the toughestseasons in their careers. It is also a fact that racingin the Eastern Cape is more competitive than everbut it looks like this brings out the best in everyone.No doubt that the quality of racing in the region hasimprove over the past few years and as Smith statedearlier in the season: It takes a good horse to win arace in PE these days. Champion trainer Smith andGreeff still had good seasons as always but are hardpressed these days by likes of Yvette Bremner, MitchWiese, Tara Laing, Steven Janse van Rensburg and theInca’s Spirit and jockeyWayne Agrella is a regularvisitor to the number1 box at Fairviewand Arlington.The Eastern Cape’s topstayer is trained byMitch Wiese, here withhis dad, Dennis.Parade CAPE PREMIER YEARLING SALES EDITION 31