The final East Cape feature of 2019, the R150 000 Listed Memorial Mile headlines the Fairview eight-race programme today and sees the multiple major centre graded stakes winner Elusive Silva squaring up to ten opponents at weight-for-age plus penalties.
Elusive Silva – classy sort (Pic Bay Media)
Now a 7yo, Elusive Silva’s most famous moment came when he played a supporting role in Snaith Racing’s glorious 2018 Vodacom Durban July trifecta behind stablemates Do It Again and Made To Conquer. A gelding who has had his issues, he won his first start this term – a 1400m Pinnacle Plate at Kenilworth – but has run two subsequent ordinary races in the Settlers Trophy and Woolavington. While his two previous Fairview starts have not produced fireworks, he could well enjoy a fast pace and at the weights, he can register an eight career win under Bernard Fayd’herbe, who knows him well.
Candice Bass-Robinson’s Sacred Arrow was outgunned behind the top-class One World last time out but caught the eye at his penultimate when getting to withing 1,50 lengths of the enigmatic Charles. He could stretch Elusive Silva if adapting to the right-handed turn.
The consistent five-time winner Kimberley Star is knocking hard for his next win and should be thereabouts after staying on well over slightly shorter. The trainer-jockey combination are deadly at this course.
Kimberley Star can win soon Pic – Pauline Herman Photography)
Now an 8yo, Laws Of Succession looks to enjoy slightly more ground than he gets here. He was not striding out at his penultimate jump.
Former KZN-based Toltec has adjusted well to the Eastern Cape where he has won two of his four starts – including a solid course and distance win last time beating the capable Shogun.
Paddy Kruyer brings Lateral gelding Earth Hour up from Milnerton. He finished right on top of the talented Nexus at his last start in a scrappy race, where he was forced to ease late. He must have a place chance at best.
Widely drawn, former Gauteng-based Bold Viking is in fine form and has won two of his last three starts. He is clearly more competitive in this centre and could surprise.
Lets Play Ball had top form on the polytrack and faded right out at his start. He could run into quartet.
Lets Play Ball – now ridden by Teaque Gould (Pic – Pauline Herman)
The Highway Man has lost his form in his last few starts. He looks to have plenty to do.
The red-hot Kotzen-Winnaar team have enjoyed smart feature success at this track and they travel up the Garden Route with Duc D’orange. While both his wins were on the all-weather, the highly regarded son of Duke Of Marmalade ran a cracking third behind stablemate Cat Daddy in the Algoa Cup eight weeks ago.
Third of the Bremner trio, Ben-Hur has been staying on and running into the regular place money but has a massive task at level weights with Elusive Silva at weights.
It looks a three-corned clash between Elusive Silva, local hope Kimberley Star and Sacred Arrow. Include all three to be safe.
Ed – The false rail is set at 2,5m off zero from the1600m to 1200m, increasing to 5m at the 800m with a 5m spur at the 800m.
