Cliff Top to reach new heights

Jack Milner

Cliff Top won the Listed Summer Juvenile Stakes at Kenilworth on Cape Town Met and despite having some inconsistent form of late, looks “thrown in” at the weights in Friday’s Craddock Place Stakes (Non-Black Type) over 1200m at Fairview.

In fact, trainer Alan Greeff should dominate the race Whatever Next and Cliff Top.

Both were Eastern Cape Champion juveniles of their respective years, and both look ready to show their best once again.

Cliff Top has only had one more win after his Cape Town victory but he could not have been more impressive. He was then sent to Scottsville in June to contest the Grade 1 Gold Medallion but like so many before him, did not have a good debut on the undulating track.

He was gelded on his return from Pietermaritzburg and only made a comeback in the middle of last month

It was clear Cliff Top was in need of that comeback run but he was doing his best work at the finish. He comes into this race with just 53.5kg on his back and with Richard Fourie in the irons, the son of Canford Cliffs will take a power of beating.

Whatever Next had lost his way for a while until Greeff reached for blinkers and the improvement was immediate.

The What A Winter gelding beat rival in this race Evies First over 1000m in April.

Whatever Next then bumped two very good sorts in Barzalona and Cruise Control in his next two races and was runner-up on both occasions.

Jockey Ryan Munger was aboard him last time out and retains the ride but they will have to give 7.5kg to Cliff Top.

Justin Snaith sends out frustrating Captain Tatters, but he has to be respected.

Jack Milner’s selections

Race 1: 8 Globetonic, 3 Lemme Go, 14 Aimee's Idol, 2 Global Mark

Race 2: 7 Flowers Of Nike, 5 River Birch, 1 I'm In Love, 2 Mi Mi Apple Pie

Race 3: 2 Khaya's Hope, 9 Double Destiny, 4 Zatara Magic, 3 Coastal Path

Race 4: 1 Santa Therese, 2 Integrity, 6 And We Danced, 7 Dame Of Flames

Race 5: 5 Mhlabeni, 9 Gold Rock, 4 Moon Game, 6 Storm Commander

Race 6: 4 Angel Deb's, 3 Princess Deb's, 8 Baby Dont Hurt Me, 9 Klaserie

Race 7: 10 Cliff Top, 1 Whatever Next, 2 Captain Tatters, 3 Captain Oupie

Race 8: 10 My Ami Beach, 11 Mon Tresor, 1 No Greater Love, 2 Crown Plaza

BEST BET

Race 4 No 1 Santa Therese

VALUE BET

Race 8 No 10 My Ami Beach

BEST SWINGER

Race 2 1x7

BIPOT

R128

Leg 1: 2, 3, 8, 14

Leg 2: 5, 7

Leg 3: 2

Leg 4: 1

Leg 5: 4, 5, 6, 9

Leg 6: 3, 4, 8, 9

PLACE ACCUMULATOR

R120

Leg 1: 5, 7

Leg 2: 2

Leg 3: 1

Leg 4: 4, 5, 9

Leg 5: 3, 4, 8, 9

Leg 6: 10

Leg 7: 1, 2, 3, 10, 11

PICK 6

R630

Leg 1: 2

Leg 2: 1

Leg 3: 3, 4, 5, 6, 9

Leg 4: 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9

Leg 5: 1, 2, 10

Leg 6: 1, 2, 3, 9, 10, 11, 14

JACKPOT 1

R90

Leg 1: 1

Leg 2: 3, 4, 5, 6, 9

Leg 3: 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9

Leg 4: 1, 2, 10

JACKPOT 2

R630

Leg 1: 3, 4, 5, 6, 9

Leg 2: 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9

Leg 3: 1, 2, 10

Leg 4: 1, 2, 3, 9, 10, 11, 14