Visiting Highveld-based jockey Calvin Habib enjoyed a profitable afternoon at Fairview on Friday, when he capped a three-timer with a smooth victory on the consistent Bournemouth to win the R175 000 non black-type Glenlair Trophy and give trainer Alan Greeff a welcome birthday present, at his very first ride for the multiple champion conditioner.
Calvin Habib has Bournemouth in command to make it three-in-a-row (Pic – Pauline Herman)
With local racing under all kinds of pressure from Mother Nature and quite low-key in April month, the Fairview Friday slot provided plenty of entertainment with Bournemouth moving up powerfully off a decent gallop late to grab the honours to beat Tara Laing’s Frankel gelding Juan Carlos (5-1) by 2,25 lengths in a time of 178,36 secs for the 2800m.
The defending champion Zatara Magic (3-1) did a lot of the donkey-work and faded late to run third a length back.
The winner’s stablemate Joy And Peace (2-1) was well beaten back in fourth.
Just an hour earlier, winning sire Canford Cliffs’ extraordinary versatility was underlined when Richard Fourie booted the five time Grade 1 winner’s daughter Strata – also bred by Ridgemont – home for the same stable over 1200m.
Showing the benefits of his three month holiday late last year, Bournemouth made it three on the trot and is unbeaten in 2025.
Raced by Messrs D Cicognini, L Grammer, John Lamb, and Mr & Mrs A C Greeff, who lease him from Ridgemont, the Drakenstein Stud bred gelding is a son of Canford Cliffs (Tagula) out of the thrice winning British-bred Galileo mare Serruria
A R160 000 National Yearling Sale purchase, Bournemouth has now won 9 races with 7 places from his 25 starts for stakes of R711 301.
Calvin Habib’s earlier double was for the Kelly Mitchley yard.
Eastern Cape racing continues on Friday 11 April when the Listed East Cape Oaks heads the card.
