Three exciting Eastern Cape Challenge series will add plenty of intrigue to Fairview racecourse’s Autumn and Winter racing programmes.
They not only include renewals of the R900,000 Eastern Cape Sophomore Challenge on turf and the R700,000 Eastern Cape Fillies and Mares Challenge on turf, but also the inaugural staging of the R600,000 Eastern Cape Poly Challenge.
These Challenges provide a great incentive to owners, because all three carry lucrative bonus prizes.All three Challenges consist of three legs and the distance of the races increase each time, meaning it will take a versatile horse to complete any of the trebles and win the respective bonus.
Last year’s Eastern Cape Sophomore Challenge had a fairytale start when Charles Lytton, the son of a teaser stallion, won the first leg, the Listed Ibhayi Stakes over 1400m.
He later failed narrowly to win the second leg, the Listed East Cape Guineas. The Sophomore Challenge culminates each year with the Gr 3 East Cape Derby over 2400m, which is run at one of Fairview’s biggest annual meetings (Derby Day), so if any horse is still “alive” to do the series treble the attempt will be accompanied by an electrifying on course atmosphere.
The Eastern Cape Fillies and Mares Challenge bonus was put out of reach of contestants for the second time in succession last year when the sprinter Yoshie recaptured her Listed East Cape Breeders Stakes (first leg) crown. She did not attempt any of the remaining legs on either occasion.
The Poly Challenge will provide a fine opportunity for horses suited to South Africa’s most newly introduced racing surface, the all-weather polytrack. The Poly Challenge might also provide a more distinct platform for horses vying to be named The Eastern Cape’s Polytrack Horse Of The Year, an accolade which was won by Gogetthesheriff last season.
The details of the Challenges are below:
