The Pick 6 bet is usually foremost in the mind when it comes to South African horseracing as it generates our biggest pools, but racing in the Eastern Cape at Fairview is tough and we don’t get many opportunities for bankers.
At Fairview on Friday the popular bet is very catchable with some bankers and in another one or two races we can possibly go short with regards to the number of runners.
Khaya’s Hope has improved every month and was as good as ever when scoring on the Polytrack last time out and he looks the part in Race 7, the Fairview Merchants (Non-Black Type) over 1200m.
He may not have won by far that day but always looked the winner in running.
It was his penultimate win, however, that makes him appeal as a likely banker bet.
Khaya’s Hope under Craig Zackey was super impressive when beating rival in this and stable companion Cruise Control by 2.50 lengths.
There is a 4kg swing in favour of Khaya’s Hope and that should make it very tough for Cruise Control.
Trainer Gavin Smith trains both runners.
Earlier in Race 4, rival trainer Alan Greeff will be very confident about filly Lunar Halo.
This Fire Away filly has won three of her nine starts and looked an unlucky loser last time out.
A slipped saddle may have forced the hand of jockey Richard Fourie last time out as she hit the front earlier than normal and was caught very late by a good filly.
That form has already held up nicely as the fourth-placed finisher won impressively last Friday.
One of the other legs of the Pick 6 where it is suggested to go light is the opening leg, Race 3
Path Of Choice and Ubisika are in very good form with both coming off solid handicap wins last time out.
We always need a rough result to make the Pick 6 and it is possibly worth throwing in all the runners in the last leg.
It is a big field handicap and a difficult race.
Another interesting race is the third Leg 3 (Race 5).
Bournemouth will be favourite after a runaway success over the course and distance earlier this season but we will need to include Gallic Tribe and Cosmic Event.
The Fairview Mile (Race 6) is another decent race by Eastern Cape standards and visiting trainer Justin Snaith sends out two runners in the form of Sachdev and Light Speed and both need to be included in all bets.
We may also have to include runners like Port Louis, Bush Tracker, Perfection and Global Ally to safely navigate this leg.
Clive Robinson
