BIG TASK FOR JOY AND PEACE

Henk Steenkamp

The classy three-year-old filly Joy And Peace will be aiming to make it four wins in a row when she lines up in the feature race at the Fairview Polytrack on Friday.

Her last victory was in May when she won the Listed TAB East Cape Derby in impressive fashion. She is the favourite to win the Walmer Handicap (Non-Black Type) for fillies and mares over 1800m on Friday but is giving weight away to her rivals. It is a big task for her carrying 60kgs but the daughter of Master Of My Fate has won twice, finished second once and third twice from as many starts on the poly.

On that record, Joy And Peace looks hard to oppose but the Alan Greeff stable has not been firing on all cylinders lately.

Greeff did win the last race at Tuesday’s Poly meeting but stable jockey Richard Fourie warned that there is still a lot of homework to be done.

This will make punters reluctant to use Joy And Peace (race 7 no 1) as a banker in their bets.

The word from the Greeff stable is that Joy And Peace has been doing good work at home and “she is expected to run well”.

Gideon’s Daughter is a good back-up for the Greeff yard. Gideon’s Daughter has won twice, finished second three times and third once from seven poly starts.

She also looks ready for a big run but if one looks past these two runners, the race is wide open.

Say Yes (Zietsman Oosthuizen) is one to keep an eye on if the Greeff runners are not up to scratch.

She finished 0.1 lengths behind Gideon’s Daughter last time but is 1.5kgs worse off at the weights now.

Essential, Opera Swing and Amazing Colours can use their light weights to upset the apple cart.

Joy And Peace is not the only Greeff runner which looks like a big runner at the meeting.

September Flower (race 1), You Win Again (race 5) and Masked Vigilante (race 6) are all worthy favourites.

They would have been confident bankers if the stable were in form.

Defending champion Gavin Smith is just one winner behind Greeff in the fascinating battle for the East Cape trainers title.

It is Gavin’s birthday on Saturday and he will be in the mood to receive early winning gifts.

King Of Queen ran a disappointing fourth on Tuesday but can win the second race on the card when the Place Accumulator starts at 13:00 if he takes his place.

Duke Of Orange (race 4) is another Smith runner with a huge winning chance. Good showings are expected from Take A Mulligan (race 3) and Explosive Speed (race 6).

The first of eight races is off at 12:30 and although we are in for a cold and windy afternoon, a good crowd is expected at Fairview to support the Nomads Charity Race Day.

Find our selections at Henk Se Wenk.

WALMER HANDICAP - RECENT WINNERS

2023: Medlers Tart

2022: Rattle Mouse

2021: Bold Diva

2020: American Princess

2019: Meryl

2018: Raven Girl

2017: Christmas Carol

2016: Alpine Ridge

2015: Chili Chocolate

2014: Sparkling Saphir

2013: Daffodil Day

2012: Estelle

2011: Flighty’s Last

2010: Scripture

2009: Seductress