A nine race turf public holiday programme headed by the R150 000 Listed East Cape Nursery is offered today at the popular Fairview venue.
Punters are asked to note minor race-time changes – the first three races going off at plus five minutes from the advertised times.
The revised times: Races 1 – 12h15 / Race 2 – 12h45, Race 3 – 13h20
It is in the first where Sporting Post’s Top Bet comes up in the form of the Gavin Smith-trained Super Socks, who looks overdue to shed his maiden certificate, in the absence of a market springer.
Tabnews reports that Alan Greeff sends out four runners in the 2yo feature and the one most likely to lead his attack in this highly competitive contest for two-year-olds is Madame Speaker with Teaque Gould in the saddle.
Alan Greeff – four pronged attack
This filly was a promising third on debut when going off at 50-1 at Fairview. Then, at odds of 15-1 and stepping up in distance to 1200m, she was a gallant second to stablemate Carlita in the East Cape Fillies Nursery.
She justified favouritism in a subsequent outing when taking on male opposition and scoring by an increasing 6.50 lengths in a Maiden Juvenile contest on the Polytrack over the same distance. With confidence gained from that run she should complete the double.
The filly will have most to fear from Gavin Smith-trained Born A Bully with Muzi Yeni up. He won smartly on debut over 800m and was then gelded and rested for three months, returning with an inspiring short-head third – the winners dead heated – over 1000m. He should be much fitter this time and might enjoy the extra distance.
Lyle Hewitson rides Calla Lily
Expect improvement from Yvette Bremner-trained Calla Lily with champion apprentice Lyle Hewitson aboard. This gelding led for much of the race on debut when finishing third over 1200m and with the experience gained from that run should be involved in the finish again.
Also in with claims is Greeff-trained Alfeo (Sandile Khathi). This gelding followed up a good second on debut to Born A Bully with a hard-fought double over 1000m.
Greg Cheyne – Aloysius was backed last time
But do not dismiss Greeff’s colt Aloysius (Greg Cheyne) who was a decisive winner on debut over 1200m but was not up to scratch in his subsequent outing when heavily backed. However, there was a report the colt was hanging in the running and his rider did not persevere thereafter. He returns after a break and could be right back to form.
Best of the others are The Highway Man, Say No More and Speed Flyer.
