The combination of trainer Alan Greeff and jockey Richard Fourie continues to dominate racing in the Eastern Cape, and they have at least three decent chances of scoring at Fairview on Friday on the Polytrack.
Virgin River is the first of them, running in Race 3, a Conditions Plate over 1200m.
The six-year-old mare is by no means the best-weighted runner in the race, but she did impress when winning on her local debut. That was her third win in 15 starts, and that form was franked in some style as Buffalo Bill, who she outpaced late, was a very easy winner last week.
Virgin River is having her first taste of the Polytrack, but that should not be a problem. Fourie was aboard her for that win and retains the ride.
A wide draw may have cost stable companion Wild Fig victory last week, and Race 6, a MR 66 Handicap over 1600m, looks a perfect opportunity for him to make amends.
The Fire Away gelding was caught out of his ground on this surface last week on a day when a number of winners poached leads and kept going. Chocolate Bomb did find betting support for that win, but Wild Fig did his best work late and may have won if better drawn.
There will not be any excuses this time around, as Wild Fig is well drawn in gate No 3 and the 1600m should suit him even better.
Talented but disappointing, Guy Gibson broke a long losing run when winning on his third try on the Polytrack. That win was his first for over a year after a series of close finishes behind his stable companions.
Fourie does seem to get the best out of this gelding and he can take out Race 7, the Founders Trophy over 1600m.
Jack Milner’s selections
Race 1: 3 Fort Impreza, 8 Free To Run, 6 Bugle, 5 Grey Warrior
Race 2: 2 Witching Hour, 4 City Of Port Louis, 8 Gimme The Best, 5 Hollandia Bakkerij
Race 3: 5 Virgin River, 4 Unconquerable Lady, 1 Symbol Of Love, 2 Sweetie Darling
Race 4: 1 Alesian Beau, 4 River Fern, 6 Timeline, 3 Smiddyburn
Race 5: 11 Coastal Path, 3 Nelson Bay, 5 Eyjafjallajokull, 10 Andy Coogle
Race 6: 1 Wild Fig, 6 King Rahul, 4 Donny's Boy, 9 Arividicio
Race 7: 5 Guy Gibson, 7 Hat's Pride, 1 Bingwa, 3 Brenden James
Race 8: 9 Royal Missy, 4 One Giant Leap, 1 Three Cheers, 2 Ginger Delight
BEST BET
Race 2: 2 Witching Hour,
VALUE BET
Race 8: 9 Royal Missy
BEST SWINGER
Race 3 4x5
BIPOT
R128
Leg 1: 3, 5, 6, 8
Leg 2: 2
Leg 3: 5
Leg 4: 1, 3, 4, 6
Leg 5: 3, 5, 10, 11
Leg 6: 1, 6
PLACE ACCUMULATOR
R108
Leg 1: 2
Leg 2: 5
Leg 3: 1, 4, 6
Leg 4: 3, 5, 11
Leg 5: 1
Leg 6: 1, 5, 7
Leg 7: 1, 2, 4, 9
PICK 6
R1800
Leg 1: 5
Leg 2: 1, 3, 4, 5, 6
Leg 3: 3, 5, 7, 10, 11
Leg 4: 1, 4, 6
Leg 5: 1, 3, 5, 7
Leg 6: 1, 2, 3, 4, 9
JACKPOT 1
R300
Leg 1: 1, 3, 4, 5, 6
Leg 2: 3, 5, 7, 10, 11
Leg 3: 1, 4, 6
Leg 4: 1, 3, 5, 7
JACKPOT 2
R360
Leg 1: 3, 5, 7, 10, 11
Leg 2: 1, 4, 6
Leg 3: 1, 3, 5, 7
Leg 4: 1, 2, 3, 4, 9