Greeff, Fourie look Baie Mooi at Fairview

Jack Milner

Bettors are facing a tough card at Fairview on Friday when they race on the Polytrack, but trainer Alan Greeff is often a reliable source of winners at this venue.

He could strike with both Baie Mooi in Race 4, a MR 74 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1200m, and Sharapova in Race 8, a Classified Stakes over 1300m, who look strong contenders.

Baie Mooi has only had one start but was very impressive on debut. Well backed on the day, she romped home to score by a wide margin, beating Ruby Claire by 8.75 lengths.

That was not a strong field but one needs to take into account that the runner-up, although a battling maiden, is usually not beaten by far, so that gives the form a bit more substance.

As is usually the case with Greeff’s top horses, it will be Richard Fourie who takes the ride.

Although Baie Mooi now steps into handicap company and is not well drawn, the Canford Cliffs filly should be capable of following up with another course-and-distance win.

Sharapova, a well-bred daughter of Querari, so often finds one to beat her but is currently in excellent form. She appeared an unlucky loser just a week ago when losing ground at the start and was narrowly denied.

Fourie now takes the ride, replacing S'manga Khumalo, and he knows the mare well. She is clearly knocking on the door.

There look to be some other good bets on the card and it is Gavin Smith and Craig Zackey who can get bettors off to an early win when he rides Supreme Judge in Race 2, a Maiden Juvenile Plate over 1400m.

This two-year-old Horizon colt has finished runner-up in both of his starts on the Polytrack, and last time, racing over this distance, he was touched off by Above The Horizon in the shadow of the post.

This is not the strongest of fields and he can get it right this time.

However, he is drawn widest of all in barrier No 8 but he does have excellent gate speed and Zackey should be able to deal with that hurdle.