Greeff can close the gap on Smith

Jack Milner

With 52 winners this season, Alan Greeff lies 18 behind Gavin Smith in the race for Champion Trainer but he could close the gap significantly on the turf track at Fairview on Friday.

Greeff will be hopeful on an early double as his runner in Race 2, a Maiden Plate for fillies and mares over 1000m, Afrodite should be too strong for the field she meets while Travel Master in Race 4 could appreciate the increased distance to 1400m.

Best of the day though, is Belle Of Belize in Race 5, a MR 91 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1400m. This mare had plenty in hand when winning on the Polytrack and is equally adept on turf. With Richard Fourie up again she stands out as the best bet on the card.

Belle Of Belize was transferred to Greeff when Paul Peter handed in his licence and has had three excellent runs in the Eastern Cape.

The five-year-old are was touched off in in two races over 1400m, both on the turf, but went down to two very useful fillies, including And We Danced who went on to win her next two.

Last time out Greeff put the Belle Of Belize on the Polytrack over 1300m and racing fans would have seen a more impressive winner.

Richard Fourie had an armchair ride as she mowed down the opposition to win easing up by 1.25 lengths.

While she had been up with the pace in her first two starts, Fourie rode her from off the pace last time and that tactic proved most fruitful.

A return to the turf should hold no fear for this Ideal World mare and she is expected to score again.

Jack Milner’s selections

Race 1: 7 Summer Odyssey, 1 Global Banker, 5 Queen Lagertha, 2 Global Force

Race 2: 1 Afrodite, 2 Yaya Maria, 11 Pomodoro Magic, 3 Reggies Girl

Race 3: 8 Captain Morne, 7 Jackson Misissippi, 1 Maya's Cat, 9 Opening Ceremony

Race 4: 1 Africa's Rock, 9 Travel Master, 13 Flinders Range, 5 Globetonic

Race 5: 1 Belle Of Belize, 2 Phoenix, 6 Stolen Kiss, 9 Pam's Princess

Race 6: 1 Princess Deb's, 3 Variety Breeze, 8 I Like It Hot, 2 Delicasea

Race 7: 2 Golightly, 1 Ideal Angel, 4 Aerial View, 6 River Cafe

Race 8: 6 Humble Tune, 2 Heathcliff, 1 American Landing, 10 Jaspero

BEST BET

Race 5 No 1 Belle Of Belize

VALUE BET

Race 8 No 6 Humble Tune

BEST SWINGER

Race 2 1x2

BIPOT

R192

Leg 1: 1, 7

Leg 2: 1, 2

Leg 3: 1, 7, 8

Leg 4: 1, 5, 9, 13

Leg 5: 1

Leg 6: 1, 2, 3, 8

PLACE ACCUMULATOR

R216

Leg 1: 1, 2

Leg 2: 7, 8

Leg 3: 1, 9, 13

Leg 4: 1

Leg 5: 1, 3

Leg 6: 1, 2, 4

Leg 7: 1, 2, 6

PICK 6

R1500

Leg 1: 1, 7, 8, 9

Leg 2: 1, 3, 5, 9, 13

Leg 3: 1

Leg 4: 1, 2, 3, 4, 8

Leg 5: 1, 2, 4, 6, 7

Leg 6: 1, 2, 6

JACKPOT 1

R125

Leg 1: 1, 3, 5, 9, 13

Leg 2: 1

Leg 3: 1, 2, 3, 4, 8

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

JACKPOT 2

R75

Leg 3: 1

Leg 4: 1, 2, 3, 4, 8

Leg 5: 1, 2, 4, 6, 7

Leg 6: 1, 2, 6