Trainer Glen Kotzen had a decent day at Fairview last week with King Regent winning very easily in the first leg of the Poly Challenge.
The Western Cape-based trainer is back at Fairview on Friday when he will saddle Gold Poker Game in Race 7, the Listed Jockey Club Stakes over 2000m.
The five-year-old mare is one of two runners from the Western Cape taking their places in this event, the other being Time For Love from the Harold Crawford and Michelle Rix yard.
They might prefer a slightly shorter trip but Kotzen’s runner has won her only run at this course and has also claimed a win and a fourth in her two runs over the distance.
Aldo Domeyer has picked up the ride.
Alan Greeff is always competitive in these sorts of races and we should get another decent run from Joy And Peace.
One would think that winning the East Cape Derby would have been the toughest assignment in her career but this year’s event looked very weak and she will know she has had a race this time.
Greeff can only beat what is declared to race against her and she has won her last four in a row.
Jockey Richard Fourie is back in town and knows her well so should give her every opportunity of scoring.
One runner who has absolutely no stamina doubts is Flower Of Saigon, Kotzen’s other runner, and this mare was impressive when winning this race last year and can score again.
No doubt Kotzen would have been disappointed with the run from My Bestie last Friday. The seven-year-old gelding was backed to win but after getting caught out of his ground early on he got into a position to challenge but could only finish fourth.
He did not seem to like the Polytrack on that occasion and he can bounce back to score on the turf this Friday in Race 6, a MR 72 Handicap over 1600m.
Muzi Yeni gets the ride this time around and he is hungry for winners.
Jack Milner's selections
Race 1: 11 Stu's Girl, 14 Karoo Bokkie, 3 Ponte Vecchio, 2 Bella Attrice
Race 2: 10 Turbo Twenty, 2 And Action, 4 Colonel Green, 3 Master Of Defense
Race 3: 3 Family Law, 2 Mister Speaker, 1 Igugulethu, 4 Walk With Me
Race 4: 3 The Mauritian, 2 Gimme's Laddie, 5 Piroshka, 9 Son Of Zeus
Race 5: 8 Marshmallow, 11 Full Of Magic, 3 Bytheliteofthemoon, 10 Komesans Passion
Race 6: 5 My Bestie, 8 Nothingelsematters, 7 Final Edition, 2 Be Real
Race 7: 7 Gold Poker Game, 2 Joy And Peace, 5 Time For Love, 4 Flower Of Saigon
Race 8: 9 Dancingtothelight, 5 Guerra, 11 Arividicio, 7 American Dream
BEST BET
Race 2 No 10 Turbo Twenty
VALUE BET
Race 5 No 8 Marshmallow
BEST SWINGER
Race 4 2x3
BIPOT
R120
Leg 1: 11
Leg 2:10
Leg 3:1, 2, 3
Leg 4: 2, 3
Leg 5: 1, 3, 8, 10, 11
Leg 6: 2, 5, 7, 8
PLACE ACCUMULATOR
R216
Leg 1: 10
Leg 2: 2, 3
Leg 3: 2, 3
Leg 4: 3, 8, 11
Leg 5: 5, 7, 8
Leg 6: 2, 5
Leg 7: 5, 9, 11
PICK 6
R1800
Leg 1: 1, 2, 3
Leg 2: 2, 3
Leg 3: 1, 3, 8, 10, 11
Leg 4: 2, 5, 7, 8
Leg 5: 2, 4, 5
Leg 6: 5, 7, 9, 10, 11
JACKPOT 1
R120
Leg 1: 2, 3
Leg 2: 1, 3, 8, 10, 11
Leg 3: 2, 5, 7, 8
Leg 4: 2, 4, 5
JACKPOT 2
R300
Leg 1: 1, 3, 8, 10, 11
Leg 2: 2, 5, 7, 8
Leg 3: 2, 4, 5
Leg 4: 5, 7, 9, 10, 11