Greeff to get Challenge off to winning start

Jack Milner

Leg 1 of the Nelson Mandela Bay Poly Challenge will be run at Fairview on Friday and many owners will be hoping their horses will be able to claim the R250,000 bonus for any runner who can win all three legs.

Leg 1 is over 1200m with Leg 2, over 1400m taking place on Friday 29 September with the final event, over 1600m, on Friday 20 October.

If no horse can claim the top prize there is a R50,000 consolation bonus available based on a point system but they have to have run in all three legs and won at least one of them. A point system will determine the Consolation winner and will be allocated on the following basis – 1st 10, 2nd 6, 3rd 4, 4th 3, 5th 2 and 6th 1.

Alan Greeff has a strong hand in Leg 1 (Race 7) where he sends out four runners in Cliff Top, Port Louis, Inherit The Rain and Whatever Next and it would come as no surprise were they to dominate the race.

There is little doubt Cliff Top stands out in this line-up. He is at least 3kg better off with any member of the opposition and is the choice of stable jockey Richard Fourie.

He did disappoint in his only run over the course and distance, however, when a 5.25-length third behind countdown, which is some cause. But that run was his first around the turn and he will come on with the experience.

Port Louis was in good form for trainer Brett Crawford and is likely to be just as good, if not even better, for Greeff.

Port Louis has been best around 1400m so far and he ran well when runner-up behind Perfection on the Polytrack in March over 1600m so has no issues with the surface.

His draw of No 11 is a concern but he may as well chance his arm and attempt start to finish tactics to pull off this race.

He is an interesting entry because while he might find 1200m a touch sharp, if does win this the son of Louis The King has the opportunity to win all three legs.

Denis Schwarz takes the ride.

Inherit The Rain has been consistent without winning of late and will be doing his best work late, but he has a task ahead of him to beat his stable companions.

Jack Milner’s selections

Race 1: 1 More For Me, 4 Ponderosa Pine, 2 Fiery Cliffs, 3 Ballycotton

Race 2: 1 Painite, 2 Wolfram, 3 Master Of Defense, 7 Smart Master

Race 3: 3 Launch Code, 7 The Charioteer, 1 US Open, 2 Regazzo Grande

Race 4: 2 Idabelle, 8 Public Benefit, 3 Defining Moment, 1 Holly's View

Race 5: 7 Lord Milori, 12 Saint Anastasia, 2 Jaspero, 6 Travel Master

Race 6: 5 Cherry Ano, 6 Quasimodo, 1 Bush Tracker, 3 Blonde Act

Race 7: 1 Cliff Top, 2 Port Louis, 4 Inherit The Rain, 3 Prince Of Fire

Race 8: 1 Gimme A Diamond, 10 Callmemrgreenlight, 7 Empire Blue, 6 Clap Of Thunder

BEST BET

Race 2 No 1 Painite

VALUE BET

Race 5 No 7 Lord Milori

BEST SWINGER

Race 2 1x2

BIPOT

R324

Leg 1: 1, 2, 4

Leg 2: 1

Leg 3: 1, 3, 7

Leg 4: 2, 3, 8

Leg 5: 2, 6, 7, 12

Leg 6: 1, 5, 6

PLACE ACCUMULATOR

R162

Leg 1: 1

Leg 2: 3, 7

Leg 3: 2, 3, 8

Leg 4: 2, 7, 12

Leg 5: 1, 5, 6

Leg 6: 1

Leg 7: 1, 7, 10

PICK 6

R2100

Leg 1: 1, 3, 7

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

Leg 3: 2, 5, 6, 7, 12

Leg 4: 1, 3, 5, 6

Leg 5: 1

Leg 6: 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10

JACKPOT 1

R100

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

Leg 2: 2, 5, 6, 7, 12

Leg 3: 1, 3, 5, 6

Leg 4: 1

JACKPOT 2

R140

Leg 1: 2, 5, 6, 7, 12

Leg 2: 1, 3, 5, 6

Leg 3: 1

Leg 4: 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10