Trainer Alan Greeff is a couple of winners behind rival Gavin Smith in the battle to be East Cape Champion Trainer for the season 2023/2024.
Both have numerous winning chances at Fairview on the Polytrack on Friday but it is Greeff who could have the better day.
In Race 1, a Maiden Juvenile Plate over 1400m, Greeff holds a particularly strong hand and could perhaps finish first and second.
The Alan Greeff-Richard Fourie combination looks strong in the opening event as filly Fire Alarm could prove hard to oppose. This Fire Away filly ruined her chance of winning on debut by being slowly away but did run well to finish third.
The step up to 1400m will suit her and with improvement expected on her debut effort, she should win.
Stable companion Can’t Say No was only a neck behind Fire Alarm and was reported to be coughing post-race. That was the third outing for the Canford Cliffs filly so in theory there is less chance of her improving as much as Fire Alarm, but she should go close.
Heavenly Blue filly Havana Grey ran very well on debut when touched off very late by improving and experienced Anuschka’s World.
It was over the same course and distance as she contests on Friday and if she makes any improvement at all she can score in Race 2, an Open Maiden for fillies and mares over 1000m.
It will also not be much of a surprise were Greeff to win Race 3 over 1600m as both Cicadidae and My True Love hold winning hopes in a competitive race.
Greeff also has a strong hand in Race 4 as Executor and Si Gioca both like the Polytrack and are course-and-distance suited.
Executor has Fourie in the saddle and has ability, but her stable companion Si Gioca is at her very best on this surface and could be a threat at decent odds.
My Best Shot in Race 6 was impressive when allowed to stride and put around a turn for the first time in his last race. That good win was on the turf but if as good on the Polytrack this time he may well follow up.
Filly United Express has won her last four starts and the first of those wins were on this surface so she has every chance of winning Race 7.
She has decent back up in stable companion River Queraress and Unyielding.
Puerta Plata has won both his starts since joining Greeff, but both of those wins were on the turf.
The Argentinian-bred gelding is clearly improving but does have a tougher task as he is badly drawn and trying the Polytrack for the first time.
Clive Robinson
