Emily to show winning spirit

Jack Milner

The rivalry for another Eastern Cape Champion Trainer’s title between Alan Greeff and Gavin Smith continues at Fairview on Friday and there are some interesting races.

In the opening event both have newcomers and a check on the betting will be the best guide for that race.

Greeff could get off to a good start in Race 2 as Emily’s Spirit looks the one to beat after three good runner-up finishes in her four starts.

She can, however, expect to face a strong challenge from the Smith’s two runners, Carbonado and Red Sphere, and also keep an eye on the betting of newcomer Kind Of Blue.

Advantage to Smith in Race 3 as both his runners, Maradiva and V V Power, are threatening to win a race.

Smith does have an interesting runner in Race 6, the Non-Black Type Fairview 1400 where he sends out Safari Blue. This What A Winter three-year-old gelding is not far off the best weighted runners and has a great record over the course and distance.

He has raced six times over the course and distance for two wins and three places and from No 2 draw, with JP van der Merwe in irons, he should be highly competitive.

Again, it is a Greeff runner that looks the main threat and that is Grazinginthegrass. He just failed to get the better of stablemate Oscar Wilde (also in this race) last time, but the latter had the benefit of No 1 draw last time and may not be able to repeat that from the No 8 barrier.

Justin Snaith has Wild Coast in the race and the 2020 KZN Guineas winner has battled to regain his best form and has been plagued with problems. If at his best, he will put this field to bed.

Jack Milner’s selections

Race 1: 8 Then In Focus, 3 Douglas Devastator, 2 Coastal Path, 10 Zatara Magic

Race 2: 7 Emily’s Spirit, 4 Carbonado, 12 Red Sphere, 9 Kind Of Blue

Race 3: 2 Maradiva, 3 V V Power, 7 Global Beat, 1 Raining Again

Race 4: 8 St Kitts, 1 For All We Know, 2 Captain’s Flower, 3 Klaserie

Race 5: 1 Aeneas, 2 Jack In The Box, 3 Joe Harman, 5 Fort Dawn

Race 6: 5 Safari Blue, 1 Grazinginthegrass, 3 Wild Coast, 8 Greenlighttoheaven

Race 7: 3 Glacier Gold, 11 Winter Mosaic, 9 Franca, 2 Joyful Noise

Race 8: 1 Colorado Springs, 4 Integrity, 6 Bold Diva, 10 Ideal Angel

Race 9: 1 Miss Millstream, 3 Mrs Hotline, 4 Chloris, 2 Kayc Al