Trainer Alan Greeff has kicked off his campaign to defend his Eastern Cape Champion Trainer’s title in fine style and he should have a good day on the turf track at Fairview on Friday.
He sends out his stable stars Splicethemainbrace, Fairy Knight, Joy and Peace and the improving My Best Shot.
The best of them for punting purposes could be My Best Shot who runs in Race 3, the Racehorse Owners Association Plate over 1400m.
The Fire Away colt had a couple of these rivals behind him in July over this course and distance and he can beat them all again.
My Best Shot has looked good since being sent around a turn, winning three of his last five starts. Two of those wins were over this track and trip.
He was a solid winner on the Polytrack last time out, coming from well off the pace to get up late.
Jockey Richard Fourie will be aboard him as well as Splicethemainbrace and Fairy Knight.
The three-year-old filly Splicethemainbrace won all five of her juvenile starts so she goes unbeaten into Race 5, a MR 90 Handicap over 1000m.
She takes on some hard knockers and it is perhaps not her very best distance, but she keeps winning and it will take a brave punter to take her on.
Trainer Justin Snaith has been at his done particularly well with his raiders recently and Pacaya will probably be the favourite to take out Race 6, the Friendly City Stakes (Listed) over 1800m.
The Trippi gelding has taken on some decent fields in the Western Cape and was only run out of it very late by stable companion Rapidash last time out
He is weighted to win this race comfortably and Muzi Yeni will give him every assistance from the saddle.
The Greeff-trained pair of Fairy Knight and Joy and Peace both had very good three-year-old campaigns and will be looking to pick up the pieces if Pacaya does not show his best.
More was expected from Fairy Knight in last year’s East Cape Derby but he proved no match for his stable companion, filly Joy And Peace, so it is interesting that Fourie will stick with Fairy Knight.
Clive Robinson
