East Cape Derby form to be tested

One of the highlights of the Eastern Cape season is the East Cape Derby which was run and won by the Justin Snaith-trained Machete Man earlier this month with Quasimodo a gallant runner-up.

The form of that win will be tested at Fairview on Monday with Kelley Mitchley’s charge running in Race 4, a Middle Stakes over Polytrack 2200m.

With rain having moved the Derby meeting to the Polytrack that day the East Cape Derby was run over 2200m and that has been a good course and distance for Quasimodo, as in his only other race over that track and trip he had been runner-up to King Of Luv.

it is also worth noting that one of Quasimodo's two wins was over 1900m on the Fairview Polytrack so he clearly likes the surface.

Another thing worth noting about the run earlier this month was that he did not pick up a penalty for that run. It is not often you can finish runner-up in a feature race and get away with that.

Muzi Yeni rode him in the Derby and will be back aboard for this race.

Back to Monday’s race and it does look a competitive with some inform and hard knockers taking part.

Zig Zag loves this surface and was full of running when scoring over 2000m in March so should relish the slightly further distance.

Trainer Alan Greeff has an exceptional record with runners recruited from other trainers and Central City could have wins in him as he was seen to be making good progress at the finish of his last run which was his first taste of the Polytrack.

The step up in distance should suit Central City.

Jack Milner’s selections

Race 1: 7 Mari Marie, 5 Hundredfifthavenue, 4 Short Sharp Shock, 1 Maya's Cat

Race 2: 1 Downing Seven, 2 Law Court, 10 Fiery Cliffs, 4 Sjambok

Race 3: 4 Aerial View, 6 Wildest Dreams, 1 Golightly, 2 Eternity Ring

Race 4: 6 Quasimodo, 5 Central City, 2 Zig Zag, 7 Atkinson Grimshaw

Race 5: 13 Grand Destiny, 6 Bournemouth, 7 Green Falcon, 10 Gunsmoke

Race 6: 1 Belle Of Belize, 4 Stolen Kiss, 10 Twice To Heaven, 11 Pinnacle

Race 7: 2 Bonnaroo, 7 Vihzoe's Magic, 9 Hildelita, 10 Esther

Race 8: 4 Silver Stardust, 2 Fiery Duke, 1 Burning Wings, 8 Cool Runnings

BEST BET

Race 6 No 1 Belle Of Belize

VALUE BET

Race 5 No 13 Grand Destiny

BEST SWINGER

Race 2 1x2

BIPOT

R96

Leg 1: 7

Leg 2: 1, 2

Leg 3: 1, 2, 4, 6

Leg 4: 2, 5, 6

Leg 5: 6, 7, 10, 13

Leg 6: 1

PLACE ACCUMULATOR

R72

Leg 1: 1, 2

Leg 2: 1, 4, 6

Leg 3: 5, 6

Leg 4: 6, 7, 13

Leg 5: 1

Leg 6: 2, 7

Leg 7: 4

PICK 6

R900

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

Leg 2: 2, 5, 6, 7

Leg 3: 5, 6, 7, 10, 13

Leg 4: 1

Leg 5: 2, 7, 9

Leg 6: 1, 2, 4

JACKPOT 1

R60

Leg 1: 2, 5, 6, 7

Leg 2: 5, 6, 7, 10, 13

Leg 3: 1

Leg 4: 2, 7, 9

JACKPOT 2

R45

Leg 1: 5, 6, 7, 10, 13

Leg 2: 1

Leg 3: 2, 7, 9

Leg 4: 1, 2, 4