Battle of the fittest expected at Fairview today

RACING fans were treated to some top-class sprint racing last weekend, which makes a decent stayers' race that more welcome today at Fairview.

The East Cape is renowned for its long-distance races and it should be a great battle for the Glenlair Trophy.

This race is over 3200m and it will take a fit horse to win. Cape Town visitor Paddy O'Reilly is back to defend his title but will be hard pushed by the likes of Gianduja, Drill Sergeant and Forest Digger.

Also don't miss the marathon of South African horse racing on 27 June. That race for the Port Elizabeth Gold Cup is the longest race in Africa, over 3600m.

The other feature race today is the Fairview 1400. This will ensure an exciting meeting to get a great weekend of racing under way. Tomorrow is a huge meeting at Greyville in Durban, where we have two grade 1-races on the card.

These races will hopefully make the Vodacom Durban-July picture a bit clearer for punters who want to have an early bet on the big one. Although we will keep an eye on which horses show the ability to win the July, the Daily New 2000 is a big race in its own right.

It should be a tremendous battle between Legislate and Louis The King, but don't forget Captain America, Whistle Stop, Rake's Chestnut and As You Like.

No PE horse will be at Greyville tomorrow, but the PE raiders have certainly showed what they can do at the other centres. The stables of Gavin Smith with In A Rush and Yvette Bremner with Copper Parade were represented this week in Johannesburg at the Highveld Feature Awards.

I can't remember when last two PE stables were at these awards and it shows that racing in the East Cape is healthy.

Also, a hand for local trainer Grant Paddock with the best day of his career, saddling four winners on the Fairview polytrack at Monday's meeting. Forget about asking international experts about winning races on the poly, just ask Grant.

Punters' Pal tips for Fairview:

PA R384

2/1-4/1-2/3-12/3-9-10/1-2-3-5/ 4-5-9-12

PICK6 R1920

1-2-3-4/1-2-7/3-12/1-3-9-10/ 1-2-3-5/2-4-5-9-12

-  Punters' Pal