Fourie ready to fire his best shot

Jack Milner

Trainer Alan Greeff and jockey Richard Fourie had a wonderful 2024/25 season and it has proved a happy hunting ground for Fourie.

Remarkably, he rode 139 winners in the province last season which was more than half of his total seasonal tally of 259.

He took a short break for a couple of meetings but on Friday he is back in action with a number of outstanding rides on the card.

My Best Shot, in Race 7 – the Listed Memorial Mile over 1600m – could be the pick of them.

The now four-year-old Alan Greeff-trained runner, took his chances in this year's Grade 1 Hollywoodbets Durban July but could only finish 12th. That was by no means a disgrace, and he returns to his home track. He had been unbeaten in five starts since being gelded before that run.

Fourie is back aboard the Fire Away gelding and he knows him very well. My Best Shot won the only time he contested this course and distance.

A race earlier, in Race 6, Fourie rides much-improved five-year-old mare Lady Silvano in the Listed Jockey Club Stakes over 2000m. He has only ridden the mare twice, and won both of them. The latest win was over this course and distance.

However, he will have a strong challenge from Justin Snaith-trained raider Danon Platina mare Knockout who comes off a decent fifth place in the Grade 2 Gold Bracelet at Hollywoodbets Greyville with Muzi Yeni in the irons.

The Roaring Rock in Race 1 could get the Greeff - Fourie combination off to the best possible start. The One World colt has been unlucky not to win either of his local starts, having been hampered by slow breaks. If jumping on terms, he does look hard to oppose.

His ride in Race 2, Olive Oyl, dislodged jockey Kendall Mienie in running last time. She was consistent before that and this will be the first time Fourie rides her, which could make all the difference.

Jack Milner’s selections

Race 1: 1 The Roaring Rock, 3 All Systems Go, 10 Touch The Sword, 5 Bugle

Race 2: 1 Olive Oyl, 5 Morfeliha, 4 Haze And Smoke, 3 Call Me Clarion

Race 3: 4 Winter Emeralds, 3 Grand Allegro, 2 Got The Fever, 1 French Flame

Race 4: 10 Rock Of Futura, 1 Greenlight Legend, 4 Red William, 2 Catch The Tune

Race 5: 4 Henry's Hedge, 6 Beer With The Boys, 7 Dumisani, 1 George Handel

Race 6: 2 Knockout, 1 Lady Silvano, 6 Honorable Member, 5 Queen Of Love

Race 7: 2 My Best Shot, 3 Bingwa, 4 Royal Aussie, 1 Firealley

Race 8: 5 Gimme's Laddie, 6 Yamadori, 12 Anuschka's World, 1 Cliff Top

BEST BET

Race 7: 2 My Best Shot

VALUE BET

Race 4: 10 Rock Of Futura

BEST SWINGER

Race 1 1x5

BIPOT                          

R108

Leg 1: 1

Leg 2: 1, 5

Leg 3: 2, 3, 4

Leg 4: 1, 4, 10

Leg 5: 4, 6, 7

Leg 6: 1, 2

PLACE ACCUMULATOR

R216

Leg 1: 1, 5

Leg 2: 2, 3, 4

Leg 3: 1, 10

Leg 4: 4, 6, 7

Leg 5: 1, 2

Leg 6: 2

Leg 7: 5, 6, 12

PICK 6

R960

Leg 1: 1, 2, 3, 4

Leg 2: 1, 2, 4, 10

Leg 3: 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 9

Leg 4: 1, 2

Leg 5: 2

Leg 6: 1, 5, 6, 12, 13

JACKPOT 1

R48

Leg 1: 1, 2, 4, 10

Leg 2: 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 9

Leg 3: 1, 2

Leg 4: 2

JACKPOT 2

R60

Leg 1: 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 9

Leg 2: 1, 2

Leg 3: 2

Leg 4: 1, 5, 6, 12, 13