Four to watch at Turffontein today

Danie Toerien

Mary’s Greenlight has not had any luck in her short career to date. Twice injured and twice bumped in her first four outings, she nevertheless has finished runner-up twice.

Today she gets another chance to score a maiden victory when she lines up in the card opener over 1400m at Turffontein.

Her last three runs have seen her jump at odds of 91-100, 1-1, and 1-4 respectively, and she will probably be the odds-on favourite again. Although some bettors will probably take a wait-and-see approach before pouring money on this daughter of Gimmethegreenlight again, Mike de Kock’s charge is worth another try and should finally reward her followers with JP v’d Merwe in the saddle.

Alesia’s Love finds herself in a similar boat in Race 2. She has attracted a lot of market support in her last three outings, but has somehow managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory on every occasion.

Trainer Roy Magner has now secured the services of Richard Fourie for this do-or-die ride.

One of the better value runners on the day is Home Of The Brave, who is carded to line up in Race 5, a Class A Middle Stakes for horses with a nett rating of 101 and below over 2000m.

This son of The United States is not just as honest as they come, but he is also in great form, having finished in the top three in his last five races.

One of his two career wins was over the course and distance, which bodes well for trainer Tyrone Zackey jockey Kaidan Brewer.

The biggest threats are Fabian Habib’s Twin Turbo and Lucky Houdalakis’ Total Surrender.

Both finished ahead of Home Of The Brave when they met last time out, but from a better draw he is expected to reverse the result.

The Johan Janse van Vuuren-trained Cliff Hanger looks hard to oppose in Race 6, a Class A MR96 Handicap over 1000m.

A two-time winner as a juvenile, this son of Canford Cliffs was gelded just before turning three and has since run two crackers, both with Gavin Lerena in the irons, who retains the ride.

Jumping from pole position, Cliff Hanger is expected to hit the front early and stay there all the way to the line, exactly like he scored his third career win last time out.