Cruise and Fairy Clash

Henk Steenkamp

Two top Fairview horses, Cruise Control and Fairy Knight, resume rivalry in the Racehorse Owners Association Pinnacle Stakes over 1200m at the Polytrack on Monday.

Fairy Knight (Alan Greeff) was an easy winner in their last start over track and trip in October but Cruise Control (Gavin Smith) should run better this time.

It was a disappointing last run by Cruise Control, finishing 3.85 lengths by Fairy Knight, but the yard feels that performance can be ignored.

Cruise Control just didn’t try that day and should bounce back with a big run on Monday when he meets Fairy Night on the same weight terms.

Fairy Knight is ultra-consistent and enjoyed the cut back in trip last time when the blinkers did the trick.

He is drawn widest of all and champion jockey Richard Fourie has some work to do.

Cruise Control is also not drawn great. Craig Zackey takes over as the pilot in the absence of the injured Louie Mxothwa.

There are other capable sprinters in the race but they will have to produce their very best to beat the two top horses.

The clash between Cruise Control and Fairy Knight should be the highlight of the meeting – race 7 of 8 at 15:55.

Trainer Lunga Gila is back at Fairview after a year in Cape Town. He is involved with two lively runners, Always Shining and Bright Future, in the first of the day at 12:20.

It is a competitive first leg of the Bipot where Gila’s runners will clash with the likes of Decree (Cliffie Miller) and House of Sussex (Smith) who, amongst others, have big winning chances.

Oliver Twist (Smith) is the horse to bat in the second race, the first leg of the Place Accumulator, at 12:55.

Pick Six players might get away with a banker, September Flower (Greeff), in the third race. Jambo Sana (Smith) is the danger in the first leg at 13:30.

First Wish (race 5) and Sharapova (race 8) are two other Greeff runners who will be hard to beat and can also be considered as bankers.

As always – let’s give it a go!