Trainer Alan Greeff is bang in form after saddling four winners at Fairview last Friday and he goes into today’s R150 000 Listed East Cape Oaks with a five-pronged attack, headed by the 2yo stakes winner Queen Forever.
Queen Forever winning the Listed Lady’s Slipper
The 2017 Listed Lady’s Slipper winner, Queen Forever is the officially highest-rated galloper in the field and looks set to relish the stamina test at her first time beyond the mile. She was a bit unlucky when encountering traffic and finishing within a length of Sabbatical in the East Cape Guineas.
Widow’s Lamp is the epitome of consistency and is another who looks well suited to the 2000m. She was eased late in running when second in the Oaks Trial and will be a serious challenger.
Justin Snaith – always a factor n PE
Esteemal is the first of the Snaith pair. The daughter of Captain Al scored a long overdue second win last time and must be a major factor at her first run here.
Woodstock Fairy is another Cape raider. She stays well but has plenty to do at the weights.
Gitango Tonight has lost form recently.
Searching shed her maiden certificate at her penultimate start on the polytrack. The well bred galloper was staying on well over shorter last time and will enjoy the extra.
The R1 million sale graduate Summer Moon is way out of the reckoning on her official rating but is lightly tried and looks very capable of improving out of sight in this company. She stayed on for fourth in the Oaks Plate last time.
Giovanna has poor recent form and both her career victories have been on the polytrack – so she looks unlikely.
Three Times A Lady has pulled the best of the draw but took a while to win her maiden, which she did at her penultimate start on the polytrack. She is bred to go this trip and could improve into the places.
Alan Greeff – strong hand here
Piera is the fifth of the Greeff quintet and has been battling since winning her maiden on the polytrack here in November.
Data Link took eleven runs to win her maiden and followed that with a modest fourth in a low-key handicap. This could be too much for her at this stage.
Corne Spies one-time winner Joking Dice looks hard-pressed to assert herself at these weight terms in this company.
Queen Forever and Widow’s Lamp should fight this out. They will both enjoy the extra and it is lucky to come down to luck in running.
