CRUISING ON THE POLY

-Henk Steenkamp-

After just missing out in his last start, Cruise Control can return to winning ways at the Fairview Polytrack on Tuesday. 

The four-year-old son of Querari faces another huge challenge in a Pinnacle Stakes over 1000m. 

He finished 0.2 lengths behind Evies First (Juan Nel) last month over 1200m on the Turf but is 3.5kgs better off at the weights now.

Cruise Control is in great form and unbeaten from two starts on the Poly surface. He is not the biggest horse but has proved that he can carry 62kgs to victory.

Louie Mxothwa takes the ride for the Gavin Smith stable and will jump from pole position.

Cliff Top (Alan Greeff) was disappointing in his last two starts but is expected to be back to his best and run a big race. He and Evies First will not be making things easy for Cruise Control.

At this past Friday’s Turf meeting the big stables of Smith and Greeff dominated proceedings and they are expected to give it a full go again throughout Tuesday’s meeting.

The first is also the start of the Bipot at 12:35 and the Place Accumulator gets underway with the second race at 13:10.

The three-year-old filly Duellona looks very hard to beat in race three, the first leg of the Pick Six at 13:45.

Duellona was formerly trained by Corné Spies and it will be her first start for the Smith stable.

The Classified Stakes over 2200m, race four at 14:20, is the first leg of the first Jackpot and looks very competitive.

The sprint race in which Cruise Control is the favourite is race five and is also the first leg of the second Jackpot, off at 14:55.

Final Edition has been very consistent for the Greeff yard and could find the winners box in race six (15:30) after three consecutive second placings. He does have to carry 62kgs which won’t make it easy for him.

Greeff also has a very strong hand in a Novice Plate for fillies and mares over 1400m, race seven at 16:05.

Summer Odyssey is weighted to win and a worthy favourite but her stablemates Mary Lamb and Concerto should also run well. The Smith-runner Jade’s Caberneigh could also have a say.

Smith and Greeff also look strong in the eighth race but we know by now the last at Fairview (16:40) is almost always a wide open competitive affair.

Find our selections at Henk Se Wenk.