Punters need not fear Friday the 13th
IF you struggle a bit this week to get out of bed on the cold mornings, spare a thought for trainers and jockeys.
They are quick to remind us that the sport is not all glamour as it might look like from the outside. It is hard work early on freezing mornings and it is also dangerous working with those huge animals.
We unfortunately now have one of the country's leading jockeys injured. Richard Fourie will be out of action for about two weeks, meaning S'manga Khumalo will surely be crowned South Africa's champion jockey when the season ends on July 31. Muzi Yeni is also now a firm favourite for the East Cape title.
Unfortunately both Fourie and Yeni (riding tonight in Durban) won't be in action at Fairview today. However, Khumalo will be in action and will try to make it count in the absence of the other big names.
It is good to see that Port Elizabeth jockey Kendall Minnie is getting some more opportunities lately, so keep an eye on him.
It might be Friday the 13th but punters have nothing to fear. I have heard some wonderful stories about big wins on this day at Fairview.
We tipped you a nice little place accumulator last Friday and will be going full out again.
The feature race is the Lady's Slipper Stakes for two-year-old fillies. It should be a cracker with some decent sorts lining up. As always with juveniles, it is not easy to pick a winner as some of them are still improving. The race is wide open and it should be exciting stuff.
In Durban, the KwaZulu- Natal Champions season and the build-up to the Vodacom Durban July is in full swing.
We saw King of Pain surprise to win the Gold Challenge, beating Beach Beauty and Yorker. During the week we heard that both Beach Beauty and Yorker, two huge favourites among punters, won't be running in the July.
This makes the July picture even more interesting with the injured Jet Explorer a doubtful starter and Futura losing support after failing to win the Cup Trial.
Punters' Pal tips for Fairview:
PA (R432)
1-2/1-2/2-7/2-3-4/3-9/1-9-12/2-7-9
PICK6 (R1200)
1-2/2-7/2-3-4-6-7-8/3-9/1-4-8-9-12/ 2-4-7-9-10
- Punters' Pal
