After the loss of Thursday’s Vaal meeting, local punters have a well patronised Fairview meeting to follow today.
Sun Met day memorieis
The Sun Met winning combination are out at Fairview where the Cape raiders take on a classy local contingent in the R150 000 Listed Breeders Guineas to be run on the turf at Fairview.
The rollercoaster of champagne and caviar one week, versus bread and butter the next, continues as we come off the high of Guineas day last weekend to a slightly more frugal diet of listed features at Fairview and Turffontein On Saturday.
The Breeders Guineas feature at Fairview has attracted a field of ten runners, with three Cape raiders in Glen Kotzen (Luna Child & Star Evolution) and Justin Snaith (Merysagos) making the trip up the scenic Garden Route.
Merysagos is improving nicely
The partnership of Snaith, Grant van Niekerk and the Drakenstein Stud team provided us with Gr1 fireworks on a historic Sun Met day six weeks ago and they are at Fairview today with 2017 Listed Lady’s Bracelet winner, Merysagos.
The daughter of Captain Al has smart PE form and comes off a 9 week break following her convincing Lady’s Bracelet success over the course and distance. Ironically she walloped last year’s Breeders Guineas winner there in Beataboutthebush, who was giving her 6kgs. Merysagos’ previous run in the Eastern Cape was an eyecatching third to Investec Cape Derby third-placer Pack Leader, when beaten 2,50 lengths. That’s fair collateral!
Queen Forever (obscured) in a good win
Alan Greeff and Greg Cheyne may not have been at their usual peak sparkling form in recent weeks but defend their title of last term with the Varsfontein Stud-bred Gimmethegreenlight filly, Queen Forever. The Listed Lady’s Slipper winner has won 3 of 5 starts and tries a mile for the first time. She has shown a professional approach to her racing and looks like she will get the trip easily.
Yvette Bremner’s Widow’s Lamp is one of the most improved fillies around since trying ground and has won her last three starts in the fashion of a horse going places. She is unbeaten at Friday’s course and distance and with an in-form trainer-jockey combination, can trouble the top rated duo.
Cloud Atlas – powerful galloper – but needs to settle
Gavin Smith’s Cloud Atlas hung on doggedly to beat What A Player last time but does look held by Merysagos on her Lady’s Bracelet fourth, when 4,75 lengths off. She was unsettled in running there and this could have affected her chances of performing to her true ability. That said, she only has her second try at the mile and she will have to be ridden with more restraint in this company. She is, however, very game and could give them cheek.
Glen Kozten’s Luna Child has come into her own as a 3yo and ran just over 3 lengths off Gr1 winner Lady In Black last season. Her two recent handicap wins over the Kenilworth mile suggest she is fit and capable of at least running into the back end of quartets here.
What A Player was runner-up in both the Aloe Handicap and the Breeders Guineas Plate and is 2kgs worse off with Cloud Atlas on her last run. She is obviously not the Greeff stable elect but it is worth noting that she is out of a Darshaan mare who gets them to stay on. She will be running at them late and can be watched over a bit further as she strengthens up.
Glen Kotzen –
Glen Kotzen also brings recent Cape maiden winner Star Evolution up for a dip in the deep end. The daughter of Var – a full sister to local hardknocker Star Burst Galaxy – is difficult to assess, but is improving and could give them a surprise. That said, she beat Alfred’s Girl at her maiden win, but that one followed up with a weak fifth behind Bendy Bullet at Kenilworth on Saturday.
Second of the Gavin Smith duo, Gitango Tonight maintained a consistent run of places following her polytrack mile maiden success back in October. She blotted her copybook with a shocker of a run last time when 16 lengths off Crown Court in slightly stick going. She is nicely drawn on the rail, but looks outclassed in this company.
Burning Mist shed her maiden on the polytrack over 1200m and looks very well held by a few in this line-up. She really doesn’t boast the form credentials to win a race of this nature.
Fourth of the Greeff quartet is the Irish Flame filly Giovanna, who is yet to win on turf – having won both her races on the polytrack. She looks well held by Widow’s Lamp and could struggle off a rating of 70 at level weights.
Queen Forever tries the mile for the first time and looks the most serious hurdle for the Snaith team and Merysagos to negotiate.
Widow’s Lamp is getting better with every start, while Cloud Atlas is a cheeky and lionhearted forward galloper who could stretch them all. Include Luna Child in bigger perms.
