Eastern Cape Champion trainer Gavin Smith has been in very good form of late and his runners could take centre stage once again at Fairview on Friday 5 January.
It is great to see it is a turf meeting with bigger fields and lots of competitive racing.
The meeting will kick off with the first Juvenile fillies only race and Heavenly Blue filly Happy Holly will represent Smith. This filly will be ready to run on debut.
Trainer Alan Greeff usually has a good one lined up for this race and Master Of My Fate filly Splicethemainbrace is likely to go out as race favourite.
The other newcomer to catch the eye is the Captain Of All filly Serendipitous with Muzi Yeni in the irons.
Jet Bund in Race 3, a Maiden Plate over 1600m, will be carrying the hopes of most exotic players as he looks a banker bet.
The Coup De Grace gelding has been runner-up in both of his local starts and should go one better this time.
Jet Bund was caught out of his ground on the Polytrack in November and was only run out of it late last time out on the turf. The step up to 1600m will suit Jet Bund.
Smith is well covered in Race 4 with his two entrants, Then In Focus and Spirit Princess
Then In Focus has been in good form of late and only found one a bit better on the day last time. The step up to 2400m will suit but he may be capsized by stable companion, the Spirit Princess.
This Gimmethegreenlight filly has been given two quiet runs under his care and looks to have been prepared with this race in mind.
Spirit Princess is very well weighted on her best form and should be ready to strike.
Smith also looks to have targeted Race 5 as he has three of the eight runners carded.
Storm Commander has the obvious form in the book and usually does good work at the finish so will have the majority of supporters but do not write off the chances of Trip To Barberton or Dirty Martini.
Trip To Barberton is clearly better on the turf so her recent runs on the Polytrack are best ignored.
Dirty Martini went too quick for his own good last time out and is capable of doing a lot better.
Clive Robinson
