Cliff Top a Pick 6 banker as meeting moved to Poly

Jack Milner

It is going to be a tough overall card for punters on Friday at Fairview but there are two cracking feature races. And with a massive R500,000 kicking off the Pick 6, the likely pool of R3 million would be a record for a meeting at the Eastern Cape track.

However, following a meeting with trainers and officials on Friday morning, it has been unanimously decided to move this turf meeting to the Polytrack due to unsafe underfoot conditions and large variances in penetrometer readings in areas on the course.

Please note that all distances remain as carded.

However, that could well work in favour of Cliff Top in Race 7, the East Cape Sprint Cup (Listed) over 1200m as his two races on the Polytrack have resulted in a close-up third and a facile win. This race will now be raced around the turn and Cliff Top will have the benefit of No  1 draw.  

Jockey Richard Fourie may have allowed rival Cruise Control too much start in his last run over 1000m but the additional 200m will make Alan Greeff’s charge hard to beat.

Once again, the three-year-old son of Canford Cliffs produced the fastest final 400m and was closing in fast as they hit the finishing line.

Trainer Glen Kotzen is one of two visiting trainers for this meeting and he sends out the speedy Countdown. This Gimmethegreenlight gelding made all the running in his penultimate start, winning well over the Kenilworth 1200m.

He attempted the same tactics in his latest start and was still clear of his rivals before tiring very late and finishing fifth.

Countdown may be blunted by the fact that another speed ball in the form of the filly Phedra is also carded to run and they may get into an early duel which will suit Cliff Top.

Brett Crawford and Kotzen are expected to dominate the Listed East Cape Guineas over 1600m with Port Louis and King Regent respectively but local trainer Gavin Smith will be looking to upstage them both with Perfection.  

Port Louis has already proved himself on this turf track when winning in July last year, beating local star Khaya's Hope that day, but both he and King Regent are unknown factors on the Polytrack.

However, Port Louis has proven himself to be only a few lengths inferior to the very best of his age group and must still be the No 1 pick.

However, the move could well suit Perfection as Smith's charge has had two races on the surface for a second place and a runaway win. 

Jack Milner’s selections

Race 1: 7 Xplicit Content, 3 Global Force, 2 Fairy Knight, 6 Watch Tower

Race 2: 3 Green Falcon, 1 Uncle Ticky Bird, 5 Settle The Dust, 7 Siberian Fox

Race 3: 5 Teardrop, 2 Minstrel Gallery, 4 Dream Star, 3 Sassy

Race 4: 7 Ablueazure, 4 King's Crusade, 1 Mhlabeni, 2 You Know Who

Race 5: 7 Name Of The Game, 4 Cape Bouquet, 1 Wildest Dreams, 3 Masters Queen

Race 6: 1 Port Louis, 2 King Regent, 3 Perfection, 4 Zatara Magic

Race 7: 5 Cliff Top, 7 Countdown, 2 Safe Return, 6 Phedra

Race 8: 8 Lady Mistico, 4 Carbonado, 1 Rimaah, 10 Dame Of Flames

BEST BET

Race 7 No 5 Cliff Top

VALUE BET

Race 4 No 7 Ablueazure

BEST SWINGER

Race 6 1x2

BIPOT

R384

Leg 1: 3, 7

Leg 2: 1, 3

Leg 3: 2, 4, 5

Leg 4: 1, 2, 4, 7

Leg 5: 1, 3, 4, 7

Leg 6: 1, 2

PLACE ACCUMULATOR

R384

Leg 1: 1, 3

Leg 2: 2, 4, 5

Leg 3: 1, 2, 4, 7

Leg 4: 1, 3, 4, 7

Leg 5: 1

Leg 6: 5

Leg 7: 1, 4, 8, 10

PICK 6

R1800

Leg 1: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

Leg 2: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7

Leg 3: 1, 3, 4, 7, 12

Leg 4: 1, 2

Leg 5: 5

Leg 6: 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10

JACKPOT 1

R60

Leg 1: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7

Leg 2: 1, 3, 4, 7, 12

Leg 3: 1, 2

Leg 4: 5

JACKPOT 2

R60

Leg 1: 1, 3, 4, 7, 12

Leg 2: 1, 2

Leg 3: 5

Leg 4: 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10