- Henk Steenkamp
Heathcliff looks set to return to winning ways at the Fairview Turf track on Friday but it won’t be easy for the four-year-old son of Canford Cliffs.
He will have to carry 61kgs to victory over 2700m in a Pinnacle Stakes in his peak run.
Heathcliff won his only attempt over course and distance and top jockey Richard Fourie opted to ride him instead of stablemate Bournemouth.
This will give Heathcliff’s supporters the confidence to strike a bet in the fifth race at 14:45.
Bournemouth won the Lakeside Handicap (NBT) over 2400m in fine style in January, beating Heathcliff by nearly three lengths.
Heathcliff is now fitter and 2.5kgs better off at the weights but Bournemouth, trying the distance for the first time, should also run a big race.
These two runners give trainer Alan Greeff a strong hand in the race but as always keep an eye on the Gavin Smith stable.
Peace In Our World is in fine form and apprentice jockey James Lihaba retains the ride after a very good win on the son of Ideal World in his last start.
He looks like Smith’s best chance to upset the applecart but Zatara Magic could also be in the mix.
The Sharon Kotzen-trained filly Medlers Tart gets the sex allowance and is weighted to win the race. She is attempting the distance for the first time and might find it tough to beat the top boys.
Kotzen has a huge say in race six at 15:20, the Racehorse Owners Association Conditions Stakes for fillies and mares over 1600m.
She saddles the consistent mare And We Danced who has a solid record over track and trip.
And We Danced is the one to beat but there are a few interesting challengers. Smith saddles Sister Light and Dame Of Flames who are both in good form.
Rose Of Bayeux was very unlucky when she couldn’t get a clear run in the latter stages of her last race. She should run well again.
United Express has won her last three starts but takes on stronger this time. She has a nice galloping weight of 54kgs and could challenge with Fourie in the saddle.
It is always exciting when the work riders get a chance to show what they can do at Fairview.
The meeting starts with the Work Riders Maiden Plate for fillies and mares at 12:25. This race makes it a very tricky start to the Bipot.
Things don’t get any easier for punters in the second race, a Maiden Juvenile Plate, which is the first leg of the Place Accumulator at 13:00.
In the third race the Master Of My Fate filly Sun Spectacular (Kelly Mitchley) makes her Fairview debut. The Cape Town form and the jockey booking of Fourie suggests she is the one to beat.
This is the first leg of the Pick Six at 13:35 and punters will be tempted to take a chance and banker Sun Spectacular.
Smith will saddle a short priced favourite in Imhotep in race four, the first leg of the first Jackpot at 14:10.
Heathcliff is the favourite to win the first leg of the second Jackpot (race 5) and this is followed by the Conditions Stakes for fillies and mares (race 6).
The last two races, race seven at 15:55, and the eighth and last off at 16:35, look very competitive.
Don’t leave out Mr Bodacious who won his last start going away for the Smith yard.
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