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The feature race in the Eastern Cape this weekend is the Grade 3 Algoa (2000m) at Fairview on Sunday.
Photo by Gold Circle
A full field of 18 runners have accepted, with half the horses making the journey from the Cape. And it is very likely that one of these raiders will go home with the Cup.
Justin Snaith saddles the only two mares in the field and both are capable of showing the boys a clean pair of heels. Six year old Jallad mare, Flighty's Last is fit and on top form at the moment. She finished third, in Listed Jockey Club Stakes(2000m) behind her stable companion We Three in August and followed that run with a victory in the Walmer Handicap at the end of September.
It is her third run after a rest and the mare has a three kilogram weight advantage over We Three, which may turn the tables in her favour. Gerrit Schlecter takes the ride and Flighty's Last is very likely to continue the excellent run of the Snaith yard by taking the Cup.
Stable companion We Three is the winner of the Winter Oaks(2200m) at Kenilworth in the Cape in 2010. The Silvano mare is at her best around this distance and recorded an easy victory in the Listed Jockey Club Stakes. She comes into the race very fit and could provide Snaith with a double on the day.
In the male department the best chance comes in the form of In Writing(ARG) from the in-form Dean Kannemeyer yard. The Editor's Note gelding has some useful form and was running on when second in the Listed Settlers Trophy(2400m) last time out. In Writing should be fighting out the finish with the ladies under regular rider Karel Nesius.
Mystic Moon has relocated to the Snaith yard and is having his first run for the stable. The Victory Moon gelding won over a mile at Kenilworth at the end of August when only about 75% fit.
He then stepped up in distance in the Listed Settlers Trophy, but was never in contention in the closing stages. There is some concern as to whether Mystic Moon is not more suited to a mile and this race may decide the issue.
Local hopeful is [nTik Tak Toe[/n], trained by Barry Steenkamp. The National Assembly gelding has won three in a row since relocating from the Cape and jumping barrier eight under Sherman Brown, he cannot be ignored.
The dark horse in the race is the first reserve runner Social Master. The Jet Master gelding is a resident of Snaith's Port Elizabeth satellite yard. After shedding his maiden status, he went on to win five of his next seven starts and clearly has a lot of ability. Although lightly raced, he beat a number of Cup runners last time out when winning over 1800m at Arlington.
He is well weighted at 53kg and it would not be a surprise to see him take his place in the line-up on Sunday.
In Writing, We Three and Flighty's Last to fight out the finish and if he gets a run, Social Master needs to be included in the mix.