The second leg of the Nelson Mandela Bay Racing Poly Challenge at Fairview on Friday 27 September most certainly looks a stronger contest than the first leg.
Trainer Glen Kotzen did well to enter King Regent in the first leg and he was a well-backed winner.
He will once again be the banker-hope for many punters, however, he does have some serious rivals over the 1400m race and has drawn wide.
Silver Falcon from the bang-in-form Justin Snaith-yard is unbeaten in two starts on a Polytrack – once in the Eastern Cape and once at Hollywoodbets Greyville’s synthetic surface. The Silvano-gelding indicated he is very well with a good runner-up performance last time out at Durbanville earlier this month. The only concern is that he has not won for some time now and jockey Muzi Yeni will need to overcome a poor draw.
That may open the door for Gavin Smith to sneak in a winner.
Khaya’s Hope was not at his best in both of his starts early this year, but he also did not run badly in either of those contests.
The now five-year-old gelding returns from a break and could bounce back to his best and score against the run of play. He has won three times in six outings after a break, so obviously enjoys his legs fresh.
Port Louis disappointed in the Eastern Cape last year when trained by Alan Greeff, but he did also run some good races on the surface and would not be a surprise winner.
The only other runner worth considering is the filly Luna Halo.
Jockey Richard Fourie has an impeccable record aboard her and she is unbeaten in three starts on the Polytrack, including a win over the course and distance.
Earlier on the card, it could pay to be with some of Smith’s other runners.
In Race 3, a MR68 Handicap over 1200m, Charlie Malone can return to winning and Tuscan Gold could make all the running again in Race 5, a MR84 Handicap over 1200m.
Charlie Malone has been costly to follow but he is a difficult ride and things could work out for him over a course and distance that suits.
Tuscan Gold was allowed a soft lead and he made all to win convincingly last time out. He may just be allowed to do that again.
Clive Robinson
