It appears the race to become South African Champion Jockey is over. Unofficially, that is. Leading bookmakers World Sports Betting had Jockey Richard Fourie at a price of 1-25 not too long ago and they have now closed their book.
It seems only an injury, and hopefully that doesn’t happen, can prevent a certain victory.
The crowd will be singing the familiar “Fourie’s a jolly good fellow, Fourie’s a jolly good fellow”.
Fourie has some good rides on Friday at Fairview with the best of them probably Global Ally in Race 5, a MR 96 Handicap over 1400m, and Lunar Halo in Race 7, the Listed Breeders Guineas over 1600m.
Fourie has an impressive record on both these animals as he won three times and been runner-up in his four other rides on Global Ally, and an even more impressive six from seven and a runner-up position aboard Lunar Halo.
To add insult to injury the only time he has lost aboard Lunar Halo was when there was a slipped saddle.
Both of these runners are trained by Alan Greeff, and both are well suited to the respective distances of Friday’s races.
The other races on this card do not look easy but it may be worth putting some money on Heartsease for a place in Race 3, a MR 72 Handicap for fillies and mares over 2000m.
This Elusive Fort mare has been kept on the Polytrack for nearly a year so probably did not like leading in her latest start and was well beaten by a much-improved runner in Official Secret.
With a more patient ride this time back on the turf, she can kick into a place, hopefully.
Clive Robinson
