Mercantour chases Poly Challenge Leg 2

The combination of trainer Alan Greeff and stable jockey Richard Fourie continues to dominate racing in the Eastern Cape, and they picked up the first leg of the Nelson Mandela Bay Racing East Cape Polytrack Challenge when Mercantour won the 1200m event on 22 August.

He only just beat stable companion Fairy Knight that day, and his owner must be well pleased that Fairy Knight is not opposing him this time around, as that rival would likely have got up in one more stride.

Jockey S’manga Khumalo did the job that day, but Fourie has been booked to ride him in Friday’s second leg, Race 7, over 1400m on the Fairview Polytrack.

Mercantour is three wins from five starts for Greeff, all on the Polytrack, and Fourie is two from four on the six-year-old gelding. Mercantour is the best weighted by some margin and will be a short-priced favourite.

Looking for dangers to him is not an easy task.

Five-year-old gelding Champonelle did beat him over this course and distance in July when receiving 7kg and is only receiving 4kg this time around. In addition, Mercantour was badly drawn that day and was caught out by a slower than usual gallop.

Champonelle was well beaten in the first leg of this challenge when sixth, 4.35 lengths adrift. It is hard to see him reduce that deficit.

It might be Mercantour's stable companions that pose the biggest threat. More was expected from Guy Gibson on local debut when touched off by a rival in The Africa House. Both of them are talented and should come on from that first taste of the Polytrack.

Louie Mxothwa has picked up the ride for this race.

Trainer Gavin Smith likes nothing more than to beat his rival, and he has two entries. Yamadori has had two local starts on the turf and has not shown much, but is a winner on this surface and might surprise. USA’s Hope was only 1.10 lengths behind Mercantour when they last met and now gets the pole-position draw, so could be a threat.

Jack Milner’s selections

Race 1: 2 Pibe De Oro, 3 Captain Clever, 4 Stand Up, 5 River Fern

Race 2: 4 Genovefa, 3 Amanatto, 1 Royal Mermaid, 7 Elusive Bomba

Race 3: 2 Silva City, 1 Speed Racer, 5 Swiss Walt, 2 Donny Tee

Race 4: 8 Roll Of The Dice, 2 Few Dollars More, 9 Home Reef, 6 Lotus Island

Race 5: 4 Wishes And Dreams, 5 Chroniclesofnania, 7 Duchess Of Seville, 8 Colorama

Race 6: 4 Ready, 6 Coastal Path, 7 Big Boy Bruce, 5 Beechamwood Boy

Race 7: 1 Mercantour, 4 Guy Gibson, 5 USA's Hope, 6 The Africa House

Race 8: 5 King's Sailor, 3 Rototo, 6 Maneki Neko, 1 Thunder Master

BEST BET

Race 5: 4 Wishes And Dreams

VALUE BET

Race 2: 4 Genovefa

BEST SWINGER

Race 6 4x6

BIPOT                          

R108

Leg 1: 2, 3, 4

Leg 2: 1, 3, 4

Leg 3: 1, 2

Leg 4: 2, 8, 9

Leg 5: 4

Leg 6: 4, 6

PLACE ACCUMULATOR

R216

Leg 1: 1, 3, 4

Leg 2: 1, 2

Leg 3: 2, 8, 9

Leg 4: 4

Leg 5: 4, 6

Leg 6: 1, 4

Leg 7: 3, 5, 6

PICK 6

R1050

Leg 1: 1, 2, 5

Leg 2: 2, 5, 6, 8, 9

Leg 3: 4

Leg 4: 4, 6

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

Leg 6: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8

JACKPOT 1

R50

Leg 1: 2, 5, 6, 8, 9

Leg 2: 4

Leg 3: 4, 6

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

JACKPOT 2

R70

Leg 1: 4

Leg 2: 4, 6

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

Leg 4: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8