In his bid to be South African champion things have gone well for jockey Richard Fourie as he is maintaining a decent lead. He must have been pleased to see his name aboard the filly Luna Halo in Race 7, the Listed Lady’s Bracelet over 1600m at Fairview on Friday.
Fourie is unbeaten in five starts aboard this Fire Away filly and her most impressive victory so far was over this course and distance in September when she proved far too good for Chroniclesofnania.
Like his father before him trainer Alan Greeff is not scared of raiding out of province and he took Luna Halo to Cape Town to participate in some feature races at Kenilworth.
She was not disgraced when 4.10 lengths behind Rascova and 5.60 lengths behind Beach Bomb.
Back at her home track and over a distance that clearly suits and being well drawn, she can bounce back to score.
She does have two dangers in the form of Gold Poker Game and the older And We Danced.
Gold Poker Game has been good of late, although a bit disappointing when only fourth behind Saartjie last time out.
The Gold Standard filly did better before that when beating Royal Invitations.
The handicapper makes her the best rated runner and she will not go down without a fight under Gareth Wright.
And We Danced was a bitter disappointment last time out but did not have much lucky in running and she should turn the tables on the filly that beat her that day, Definitely Maybe.
Whether she is good enough to beat Luna Halo and Gold Poker Game is questionable.
Trainer Gavin Smith continues to stream in the winners and there are two at this meeting who could pop up.
Bridgerton has been disappointing in that he has yet to win a race, but he will be hard to beat in Race 2, a Maiden Plate over 1400m. It is a weak race and he is overdue a win.
Later, another disappointing stable companion, Aadehya, could come up trumps in Race 8, a MR 72 Handicap over 1000m.
The Vercingetorix gelding is back on the turf and a change of tactics (perhaps dropping him out) may do the trick.
Clive Robinson
