The annual East Cape Poly Challenge will start a hectic period for horse racing in Nelson Mandela Bay on Friday.
This will be the first of four local meetings taking place in the space of just 11 days.
Flashback! Friday’s East Cape Poly Challenge leg 1 contender King Regent seen beating SA Horse Of The Year Princess Calla in November 2023 (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
Usually, it is only one meeting a week at the Fairview track in Greenbushes. The extra meetings will be a huge challenge for all the stables, to make sure they are ready to produce their best.
After the closing of the Arlington track the Poly was installed in 2013, as a second track at Fairview. It soon became a popular surface, and in 2016 the Poly Challenge was introduced.
The Challenge has grown in stature and popularity, and racing fans have witnessed some spectacular races.
There is no doubt the Poly Challenge will again be fiercely contested. No horse has been able to secure the huge bonus for his connections by winning all three legs and it is obviously very difficult for one horse to win those three races over the different distances of 1 200m, 1 400m and 1 600m.
These three races take place over a period of two months, which means it requires a special effort from the trainers to keep their top Poly horses performing at their best over that time.
There is also a consolation bonus to aim for if we don’t see a horse winning all three legs. That will go to the best performing horse over the three legs.
Glen Kotzen will saddle the only visitor in the feature on Friday when he travels with the talented Dynasty gelding, King Regent. The four-time winner beat SA Horse Of The Year Princess Calla back in November last year on home turf, and looks to carry too many guns for his twelve opponents.
