Henk Steenkamp
Jockey Richard Fourie will have to make sure Fairy Knight gets going on time to win the R175 000 Speedsters Stakes (NBT) on Friday at the Fairview Turf track.
Fairy Knight is the class horse in the race, but the question that must be answered is if the 1000m is too short for him to win another Fairview feature.
The son of Global View loves the Fairview Turf track and is a Listed winner over 1200m, but Fourie will have to time his run to the line to perfection to secure victory over the shorter distance.
Fairy Knight, trained by Alan Greeff, got going just too late in his last start with Luyolo Mxothwa in the saddle. He was narrowly beaten by Mercantour in the first leg of the Poly Challenge over 1200m.
Greeff and Fourie would have done their homework and Fairy Knight should be too good for the other seven runners. He carries 62kgs but is the best weighted horse in the race.
Anuschka’s World from the Kelly Mitchley stable is probably the biggest danger to the favourite. He is in good form and Muzi Yeni retains the ride.
The son of One World has won once, finished second twice and third once from as many starts over track and trip. He should challenge strongly.
The Gavin Smith stable will be looking for a fifth consecutive victory in this race and will saddle four runners.
Song Of Myself probably has the best winning chance of the Smith runners.
The five-year-old Canford Cliffs mare was a gutsy winner over 1200m on the poly in her last start. Song Of Myself takes on stronger this time, but with a handy galloping mass of 51.5kgs she should be right there.
Cliff Top (Greeff) and Crowned Hornbill from the inform Cliffie Miller yard but also be considered for the win if you are not in the Fairy Knight camp.
All eyes will be on Fairy Knight and Fourie to see if they get the timing spot on to win this one - should be exciting stuff.
The feature is race six on the card of eight races and off at 15:25.
The meeting starts with the Welcome To Nelson Mandela Bay Maiden Plate for three-year-old fillies over 1200m, off at 12:30.
It is the first leg of the Bipot and the Rafeef filly Lotus Silk is expected to score on debut for the Greeff-Fourie combination.
Pick Six players must strongly consider Bomber Bay (Smith) as a banker in the first leg, race three at 13:40. He is ready to win.
It gets more competitive later in the day, so as always, let’s give it a go!