Trainer Kelly Mitchley and jockey Muzi Yeni have struck up a great partnership this season and the trend is set to continue at Fairview on Tuesday. Overall, there appears to be a few good opportunities to dip into value propositions.
In Race 1, a Maiden Plate over 1000m, Raptor Island who although disappointing is quite consistent and may finally open his account. He is related to Graded performers such as Mombela and National Banker among others and can boast fast fractions, but the son of top sire Dynasty clearly has yet to live up to the expectations.
Initially when running not far off horses like Brave Viking over 1400m on the Highveld, it seemed like he would not take long in winning but it was all speed with no finish in all those runs.
He was then given a chance by his Highveld trainer and then by Mitchley over 1200m and again he faded out after going too fast for the opposition early.
Now having his third local start he should be super fit and even though he could be meeting fair sorts in Donny Tee and Concerto, he could still get the job done as the minimum distance looks to be what will do the trick. Really, he should only be stopping some way after the finish line.
Fire Chaser turned in a solid performance when taken upcountry to contest a restricted Sales race, in which she took on winners. After chasing the pace behind eventual winner Qhawe Lami she only tired late but wasn’t far off promising males Richard The First and Dhoni and that kind of form could be too good for rivals in Race 2, a 1200m Maiden Plate for fillies and mares.
Dawn Of Gold and Lady D’Arbanville race for leading yards and have room for improvement but Fire Chaser is rated to finish well clear and as such appeals as the best bet on the card.
It could then be the turn of champion trainer Gavin Smith and his number one jockey S’manga Khumalo. The pair could find themselves in the winner’s enclosure with Storm Commander who is finally back on the turf, his merit rating having plummeted. The seven-year-old gelding has tried racing handily in two starts and then switching off in his next two starts but he hasn’t been able to get in front on the poly. After all, three of his four wins have come on the grass.
In Race 4, a MR 68 Handicap over 1900m, everything could go his way as he has also done battle with much stronger in the past.
Idita could be the best of Smith’s runners on the day, however.
The three-year-old daughter of Visionaire could be hard to catch in Race 6, a Graduation Plate for fillies and mares over 1400m. She confirmed her debut win (1000m) against winners was no fluke as she followed up with promising runs behind Alan Greeff’s star Luna Halo.
She has run in strong contests throughout, so has earned her 92 merit rating, and the title of best weighted filly in her heat. Greeff’s Rimaah and Chroniclesofnarnia (top weight) should be too good for the rest and the Trifecta looks worth catching multiple times.
Clive Robinson
