MILKWOOD LOOKS WIDE OPEN

Henk Steenkamp

Although last year’s top three finishers are back, Friday’s R150 000 Listed Milkwood Stakes looks wide open.

This race for fillies and mares over 1000m should be an exciting and competitive event, one of two feature races at the Fairview Polytrack meeting.

The other big race is the R175 000 Fairview 1400 (Non-Black Type) which will also provide fireworks.

Trainers Alan Greeff and Gavin Smith dominated last year’s Milkwood Stakes, which was also switched from the Turf to the Poly like this meeting, and has a big say again.

The decision about the change of surface was made on Thursday afternoon after pen readings varied between 26 to 40, resulting in an inconsistent going.

Three Rocks (Greeff) was second last year with Gimme’s Lassie (Smith) third. Paris Lass (Smith) was the winner, but will need a huge effort to keep her crown.

Gimme’s Lassie looks like the stable elect after she won her last outing over 1200m on the turf.

She finished strongly after a slow start and will be hoping she gets away well this time from pole position with Craig Zackey aboard.

Track and trip won’t be a problem for the daughter of Gimmethegreenlight and she should be involved in the finish.

Three Rocks is struggling to regain her best form. She is better than her last start when there was solid betting support, but she finished nearly two lengths behind Gimme’s Lassie.

She is the best weighted horse in the race, but will have to put her best foot forward to win. With the switch to the poly the wide draw is now a concern.

Champion jockey Richard Fourie is sticking with her and Three Rocks can’t be ignored.

There are three Western Cape visitors, Kyalami Girl, Trip To Maputo (both Candice Bass-Robinson) and Porgue Te Vas (Mike Stewart) to make the race even more interesting.

Trip To Maputo probably has the best chance of this trio after a strong finish when winning her last start over 1200m at Kenilworth, but the poly surface could be a problem.

Luyolo Mxothwa retains the ride and this is a combination to respect.

Gocekwithlove (Greeff) won the Listed Lady’s Pendant on the Poly, but might have more to do here after finishing two lengths behind Gimme’s Lassie last time out.

She can’t be totally ignored and has a money chance, along with Ellorix (Greeff), Woman Of Power (Kelly Mitchley) and Happy Holly (Smith).

Mercantour (Greeff), Silver Falcon (Justin Snaith) and Gimme’s Laddie (Smith) should fight it out for the win in the Fairview 1400.

Mercantour probably prefers a shorter distance, but is in good form and the class horse in the race. He is the one to beat.

Destiny’s Angel (Smith), Golden Link (Sharon Kotzen) and Firealley (Jacques Strydom) are others to keep an eye on.

The first race starts at 12:25, but please check for late scratchings due to the change of surface.

Find our suggested Place Accumulator at Henk Se Wenk and as always, let’s give a go!