The Cape raiders add a dimension of quality to today’s Fairview feature, the R150 000 Listed Lady’s Pendant to be run over the 1200m straight, where racing returns to the turf.
Easy Street – carries top weight
The fillies and mares feature, run at weight-for-age plus penalties for stakes wins, is the headliner on a well patronised eight race programme.
Gavin Smith saddles the eight-time winning Easy Street, who carries top weight of 60kgs and must play a part in the finish. The daughter of Brave Tin Soldier is a cracker over this course and distance. The one concern is that she has been reported not striding out at her last two starts.
Alan Greeff – great record in this race
Alan Greeff and Greg Cheyne won this race last year with that top-class mare Clear Sailing and team up with former Kotzen runner, Our Destiny. The daughter of Var has had two quiet local runs but was fancied here last year when a decent fifth to Clear Sailing.
Andre Nel looks to be over the worst of the yard’s virus and he travels with the Querari mare Hoist The Mast, who starts first time in the Eastern Cape. She ran above herself when storming home and almost upsetting Gr1 winner Just Sensual in the Gr2 Southern Cross Stakes three runs back.
Callan Murray – gets on well with Star Burst Galaxy
Now racing under new ownership, the 4yo Star Burst Galaxy is in prime form and her formline shows her to be a veritable ATM. A course and distance winner, she cannot be left out and jockey Callan Murray knows her well.
Brett Crawford’s Clifton Sunset has her first run at Fairview and the daughter of Canford Cliffs had good form before returning form a two month rest and casting shoe in running. The jockey-trainer are very effective with their intermittent trips to this centre.
The Justin Snaith pair of Twinkle Toes and Angel’s Trumpet will enjoy plenty of support, with the latter the better on her outstanding fourth after being hampered in the Gr2 Sceptre Stakes.
Pepper Oak ran a disappointing race last time after winning 3 of her first 5 starts.
Cape challenger Princess Peach – some decent value
The Glen Kotzen yard have a serious strike rate when raiding from their Paarl home-base and send out a decent pair of Anneline and Gr2 The Debutante winner, Princess Peach. The latter has not found a winning strike in four starts as a 3yo, but has had her excuses and could be a value bet if things go her way. The daughter of Captain Al ran on well late for third behind star Magical Wonderland in the Gr2 Sceptre Stakes at her last start.
Candice Bass – Robinson also brings a pair of runners up from the Cape. Aldo Domeyer rides Felicity Flyer, who appears to be the stable elect. The daughter of Noordhoek Flyer is a game sort but choked up in the Sceptre Stakes, where she ran well downfield. On her best form she must have a chance of place money.
Stablemate Scandola has her first run in this centre but has been outgunned in her last few starts and will need to improve.
Favour’s Pride is racing off form and doesn’t inspire confidence in this line-up.
Third of the Greeff trio, Excellent drops in trip after two quiet runs over further. She looks unlikely here.
With no banker in sight, it may pay to go wide. Star Burst Galaxy and Easy Street are two class acts, with the likes of Princess Peach, Hoist The Mast and Angel’s Trumpet the dangers.
