Henk Steenkamp
THE seven-year-old Juan Carlos is one of the best stayers in the Eastern Cape and Tuesday’s Middle Stakes will suit him right to the ground.
He will be ridden by Chase Maujean for the Tara Laing stable in race four over 2400m at the Fairview Turf meeting.
The Laing yard is in tremendous form and a big run is expected from Juan Carlos, who was a gutsy winner of his last start over 2000m at the same track.
It is a small field of seven runners but Juan Carlos won’t have it easy in a very interesting race.
Two runners from the stable of champion trainer Alan Greeff, No Place Like Home and Central City, are attempting the distance for the first time.
Both should be in the mix, with No Place Like Home the biggest danger to Juan Carlos.
No Place Like Home finished 0.5 lengths behind Juan Carlos over 2000m and is now 1kg better off at the weights.
There should be very little between them at the finish (take the boxed Exacta 1 & 4).
The filly Woman’s World (Kelly Mitchley) is surely better than her last start and can be a dangerous frontrunner.
She was second in her only attempt over track and trip. Woman’s World is weighted to win the race and on best form she should give the boys a run for the money (take the boxed Quartet 1, 2, 3 & 4).
The meeting of eight races starts at 12:05 with a competitive Maiden Plate for fillies and mares.
Miss Shaivi (Gavin Smith, race 5), Golden Link (Sharon Kotzen, race 6), Arabian Red (Greeff, race 7) and Heart Stealer (Greeff, race 8) are horses for the shortlist.