IT is time for the fillies and mares to shine at the Fairview race track in Greenbushes.

The main race at this coming Friday’s meeting on the Polytrack is the Walmer Handicap for fillies and mares over 1 800m.

This race, won last year by Bold Diva from the Gavin Smith stable, is always an exciting and competitive affair.

Last Friday at Fairview, it was the Alan Greeff-trained fillies, Franca and Glacier Gold, who stole the show.

Franca produced a scintillating performance to beat her stablemate in the East Cape Breeders Stakes.

With this victory, Franca made sure she is in the running to be crowned as the best three-year-old filly in the province at the end of the season.

Glacier Gold is a four-year-old and a contender to be named as the best older filly/mare. She won the Milkwood Stakes in May, when Franca ran second.

The Breeders Stakes was a triumph for the Greeff-stable, but the Smith-yard dominated the rest of the meeting (and took third place in the main race, with Purple Merchant).

Smith continued his wonderful form, winning four of the eight races on the card. With only four meetings left, he should pick up the EC trainers’ title, for the first time since 2013, at the end of the month.

He is 23 winners clear of defending champion, Greeff, and it looks like it is race over.

It is not only at Fairview where the fillies and mares are enjoying a great time.

The four-year-old, Sparkling Water, the only filly among the field of 18 runners, won Africa’s biggest race, the Durban-July, at Greyville this past Saturday.

The next big meeting at Greyville, and the last main event before the season comes to an end on the last day of the month, is the Champions’ Day meeting on July 30.

At Fairview, there is also plenty to look forward to till the last meeting of the Eastern Cape season on the 29th.

Two important upcoming races will play a huge role in deciding which horses are crowned Eastern Cape champions at the annual awards.

The winner of the Gold Cup very often picks up the award for the best horse over the long distance races. This marathon, always a crowd favourite, will be run on the 15th.

At the last meeting, the two-year-olds will not only fight it out for the winner’s cheque, but also for the respective titles of the best colt/gelding and filly in their age group.