Justin Snaith and Richard Fourie set out at Fairview on Friday on the long road of what is likely to be yet another big season.
The former SA champion trainer is going for what could be a record fourth consecutive exacta in the R150 000 Listed Jockey Club Stakes.
Konkola wins for Snaith and Fourie in 2018 (Pic – Pauline Herman Photography)
Snaith has won the race, a traditional last chance saloon for black type, and finished second for the last three runnings – Fourie was aboard two of the three winners, with Louis Mxothwa riding the third.
On Friday they are back with a competitive coupling in the weight-for-age plus penalties contest – South Africa’s first stakes feature of the new term.
The 2017 Listed Devon Air Stakes winner Meryl is one of seven Alan Greeff acceptors and on her best form, including a major centre Gr1 placing, she must be a big runner – despite a shocker of a draw. The daughter of Tiger Ridge ran a cracking prep in mixed company over a too short 1100m just three weeks ago, and will strip sharp and ready.
Meryl has the class to beat her bad draw (Pic – Gold Circle)
Richard Fourie and Justin Snaith team up with the Twice Over mare Libra, who has won in this centre and has been very consistent in the Cape. Her wide draw should not hamper her prospects as she likes to be dropped in and run at them late.
Delia’s Delight was reported not striding out last time when going for a fourth consecutive win but running downfield in the Listed Paddock Stakes. A winner of 5 of her 8 recent starts, she looks likely to challenge the top two.
The supremely consistent and versatile Twice Over mare Studio Blues just doesn’t know how to run a poor race and should once again be involved in the finish and is a serious runner.
Tara Laing – form trainer
Raven Girl is the first of the Tara Laing duo. The daughter of Philanthropist may have needed her last run and is a serious runner on her sparkling earlier form.
A full-sister to exciting new sire Vercingetorix, Perfectproportions looks overdue for a big run after a string of good placed efforts. Her turf form here shows that she has the ability and can go very close on Friday.
Second of the Snaith duo, Red Ginger has not won in ages and her recent form does not inspire a lot of confidence.
Esteemal was checked in running when finishing 4,35 lengths off Maverick Girl in the Paddock Stakes last time. She has some ground to make up on these weight terms and has a tough draw to beat.
Love Supreme ran a below-par first run here but could have been in need of the outing when running just under six lengths behind Maverick Girl in the Listed Paddock Stakes last time. On her better Cape form, she would be a runner.
Cape raider Pearl Jam has not managed a second win, but she was thereabouts all of last season. With a decent draw she could surprise on her best form and secure that elusive black type score.
Widow’s Lamp has lost her form (Pic – Pauline Herman Photography)
With a wide draw to contend with, the Go Deputy mare Widow’s Lamp should battle to resurrect her promising earlier form. At best, she could challenge over this trip.
The consistent Just Chaos will be ridden by Mauritius returnee Karl Zechner. She gets the blinkers fitted after staying on steadily to run just out of the money in the East Cape Paddock Stakes last time.
Her stablemate Seeking Wisdom ran on well to beat the very capable male Story Of My Life last time out. Her wide draw is a deterrent.
Woodstock Fairy produced a good effort at her debut in the Easter Cape when beating the boys to win well in an MR 72 Handicap over a mile. She has lots to do at the weights but must have a shout.
Former Cape-based Flying Squadron dropped out and may not have stayed the 2400m of her last run. Both her starts in the Eastern Cape were decent prior to that – including a victory on the polytrack – and from the best of the draw under the in-form Warren Kennedy, she can step up to challenge.
Onesie may find this on short side (Pic – Pauline Herman Photography)
The 6yo staying mare Onesie returns from an unsuccessful bid on the Gold Cup at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Super Saturday. She ran 9 lengths off Dynasty’s Blossom but reeled off three consecutive wins over ground at home prior to that. She stays well, but this looks a bit short.
The race is wide open and while it is difficult to overlook the Snaith dominance, there are a few with big chances. They include Meryl, Raven Girl, Studio Blues and Delia’s Delight.
