COULD BE MAGIC AT FAIRVIEW

HENK STEENKAMP

The gutsy Zatara Magic will be challenged by the inform light weights in his first run back from his sensational victory in the Listed Betway Algoa Cup.

Zatara Magic will run in the Racing Today Pinnacle Stakes over 2200m at Friday’s Fairview Polytrack meeting.

He carries a hefty 62kgs, which brings runners like Richardthefearless (Zietsman Oosthuizen) and Heemstede (Juan Nel) into the picture.

Richardthefearless has won his last two starts in fine style. He has a nice galloping weight of 51kgs with apprentice jockey Girish Dookhit in the saddle.

Heemstede finished one length behind Richardthefearless when they last met. The weight difference was 10kgs on that occasion and Heemstede will only carry 4kgs more this time. He could turn the tables on Richardthefearless with S’manga Khumalo taking the ride.

Zatara Magic will be ready for the fight and trainer Dean Smith expects another good showing. Chad Little will ride this time.

“He is fit and well, in solid form and drawn well,” Smith said on TrackTalk of Zatara Magic. He acknowledges that the horses with the light weights “will be a threat.”

Wecangoallnight from the Alan Greeff stable is an interesting runner. He steps up to the distance for the first time and if seeing it out, he should be in the mix with Richard Fourie aboard.

Zatara Magic, Richardthefearless and Roll Of The Dice (Cliffie Miller/Calvin Habib) love to lead and the pace should be on from the word go.

Everything points to a fast 2200m and riding tactics could make all the difference. This event should be the highlight of the eight races.

It is the third race and nine runners will face the starter at 13:55. It is also the first leg of the competitive Pick Six.

The meeting starts with a Maiden Plate for fillies and mares, the first leg of the Bipot at 12:40.

Amanatto (Greeff) looks like a banker in the first leg of the Place Accumulator, race two, at 13:15. The four-year-old filly was unlucky not to have won her last start.

She takes on the boys this time, but is weighted to win this Maiden Plate from a good draw with Fourie up.

The consistent Silvonian will be a popular banker. He steps up to 1400m in race six, the TAB 4Racing App Classified Stakes, and could get that elusive second career victory. Habib rides for the Smith yard.