Stakes success as a 2yo is no guarantee of future prosperity. Two talented gallopers in the Fairview polytrack topliner on Tuesday lend credence to that theory.
Rodney Dunn
But firstly, why Fairview on a Tuesday?
Retired Western Cape Racing leader Rodney Dunn often argued for venues to be linked to days for customer benefit.
In other words, we know where we race on a Wednesday or a Monday or a Friday. We get used to things – it is what human nature seeks.
But back to those two former 2yo hotshots who contest the R94 000 1000m Pinnacle Stakes.
Harry Lime winning the 2014 Umkhomazi Stakes
Gr2 winning 2yo Harry Lime is a 5yo son of Var who can run with the best on his day and forms a typically powerful Snaith coupling with the uber consistent 7yo Villa Del Largo.
Harry Lime won his first two starts and has clocked up a further two wins in his next 15 outings.
His first run back from a dull Durban campaign saw him stop late when failing by 2,50 lengths to peg back the rampant Spies mare Jo Malone.
His Greyville poly runs produced no fireworks but with an eyecatching rails draw, he will only need to find a little bit of his best to just about win this. Karl Zechner rides his for the first time and is a powerful jock who knows his way around this track.
Buckinghamshire wins the Listed race on Met Day
The Australian-bred Buckinghampshire joins the yard of Gavin Smith in PE on transfer from Darryl Hodgson in Milnerton.
The son of Lonhro has been a terrible disappointment after winning the 2015 Listed Summer Juvenile Stakes beating the smart Seventh Plain on Met day when in the care of Justin Snaith.
He has managed just a Novice Plate win since and while he ran stone last in his return outing over 1000m at Durbanville three weeks back, seems likely to be a little more competitive in this centre.
Topweight Villa Del Largo goes for a hat-trick of wins and has conquered the Gr1 star Normanze and that good mare Jo Malone at his last two starts.
His form is impeccable and he will keep them honest.
Alan Greeff has Thayer and Insearchofthesun running for him.
Greg Cheyne – rides Thayer
Stable first choice rider Greg Cheyne takes the ride on the former, a six-time winning son of Bankable, who disappointed when fancied last time.
He ran 6,75 lengths behind Jo Malone after showing pace and fading late. He is likely to bounce back with a vengeance as his earlier form is impressive.
His older stablemate Insearchofthesun finished 1,50 lengths in front of Thayer behind Jo Malone but with youth and a half kilo pull on his side, we feel Thayer will reverse that order on Friday.
Vaughan Marshall’s speedy Zinnavar gets the 2,5kg claim of Diego De Gouveia and this could aid the son of Var in the latter stages – where he tends to run out of puff.
His first Fairview start was a good effort when finishing 3,25 lengths behind Jo Malone after showing good toe.
Yvette Bremner’s Oriental Tiger is threatening to register a second win and faces stronger company here. The son of Lecture will strip fit.
Breathless Bertie is game and tries hard but seems a touch outgunned here.
A competitive little race where Harry Lime and Thayer catch the eye as likely fighters. Villa Del Largo is very consistent and could be best of the rest.
