The two training powerhouses in the Eastern Cape, Alan Greeff and Gavin Smith, continue to clash and although Greeff seems to have more races available for him to win at Fairview on Friday, it is two Smith runners on which we will focus.
Nothing Else Matters lost his way between his second win and his third victory, and the Elusive Fort gelding had blinkers on him for five starts.
They clearly did not work on Nothing Else Matters and when they were removed he picked up a victory and was touched off last time out.
The win was over the same course and distance over which he will contest Race 4, a Classified Stakes over 2400m.
Jockey Craig Zackey has always got a decent tune out of Nothing Else Matters and he can score again.
The highlight of the card is undoubtedly Race 6, a Pinnacle Stakes over 1400m.
Smith sends out a stable star in the form of Khaya’s Hope and Greeff opposes him with Luna Halo.
Khaya’s Hope has seven wins in just 19-lifetime starts but more importantly, four of the wins were over this course and distance.
After a couple of disappointing runs, the gelding by The United States was touched off last time out by Evie’s First over 1200m.
Khaya’s Hope will certainly strip fitter this time and stable jockey Zackey knows him well, having ridden him five times for a win and two places.
Four-year-old filly Luna Halo has also run 19 times for 10 wins and she will be in receipt of 3kg from Khaya’s Hope.
Richard Fourie has been in the irons for all of those 10 victories and he will be back on board for this event.
Clive Robinson
