The R100 000 Speedsters Stakes run over 1000m heads a tricky looking Fairview meeting on the Polytrack today. A R100 000 carryover in the Pick 6 boosts the prospects of that bag of cash reaching somewhere in the region of R700 000, and there is plenty to play for.
Merchants winner Vauclair looks the pick on Poly 1000m today
The popular Bipot bet launches in the first race at 12h55.
Wayne Agrella is yet to ride a winner since his return from a three month injury break a fortnight ago and with only three rides on today’s card. Seaclipper looks the right one in the first.
The Kotzen’s filly Aspen Winter Winter could be his main danger.
The Speedsters Stakes is the penultimate leg of the Pick 6 and has attracted nine flyers.
Hekkie Strydom’s Russian Mig tops our ratings after showing some revitalised recent form.
The son of Qui Danzig always had an issue with getting into his races and often arrived once the race was over. He has overcome that little barrier and has been showing a lot more toe of late.
He lumped 63,5kgs when just fading very late to get within 2,6 lengths of the smart Stormy Ridge on the turf 1200m last time. He was ridden by an inexperienced apprentice and has an experienced rider aboard here.
He won his last try on the poly when beating the capable Oats over 1400m very easily.
Tara Laing has slapped the blinkers on the very smart Var gelding Vauclair, after two slightly below par efforts over 1200m.
He has proven his capabilities on the Poly and could bounce back to best over 1000m.
Yvette Bremner’s Swift Wonder flew up late last time over the course and distance when beaten a quarter length by star filly Yoshie.
Tetelestai was 4 lengths behind and he meets Swift Wonder on 3,5kgs better terms here. That brings the former KZN-based sprinter into the equation.
The former Vaughan Marshall galloper Stormy Ridge beat Sedge in something of an upset result last time. Greg Cheyne rides him again and with his electric late turn of foot, he will not be allowed to roam free at double figure odds again.
Nile Symphony is well drawn and won over the course and distance last time beating Verlaine.
The Pick 6 kicks off in the third race, where Steven Janse Van Rensburg’s Future Leader looks a likely banker.
We enjoy the philosophy of putting the head down with an early banker-rather than the stress of a last leg anchor.
The son of Parade Leader has good form on the surface and showed smart pace before being collared by Drew last time.
The second leg looks the proverbial minefield.
Frederick Fox is very good but is drawn in Port Alfred and that brings the older Itsgottobeperfect into the picture.
Greg Cheyne and Alan Greeff are a lethal combination and firing – but he is no banker!
Include Virtual Emblem, No Question, Rock The Dot (fancied but no fireworks last time) and for a Hiroshima result, the lightly weighted Tall Ship.
2013 Emerald Cup winner In A Rush runs in the fifth race, no doubt in readiness for another tilt at Africa’s big sand race.
Wayne Agrellla is ready for his first winner since returning and rides Seaclipper in the Bipot opener
He has been rested 16 weeks and we thus prefer Jet Burst, Burlaine Forest and Principled. The latter has his first run in PE.
The fourth leg is a Fillies & Mares bear trap!
The vastly improved Dinesen is drawn wide out at 16 and that could be a prospect killer over the 1400m. She does have the gate speed though to overcome it, with a bit of luck. If she doesn’t, it is a field leg.
The penultimate has been discussed above and we go into the final leg with Dorrie Sham’s Red Squared our top-rated runner.
The son of Spectrum has solid consistent recent form on the surface, but the jockey choice is an interesting one.
How many winners has Denies Lee ridden on the Fairview Poly?
If Red Squared is to be beaten, the race becomes wide open.
Sean Veale is riding really well and jumps aboard Berrymiller for Gavin Smith, while the 7yo Blue Horizon Bay has been knocking for ages for his third win.
Break a leg and enjoy it!
