Jack Milner: Once again the visitors have come to town in an attempt to claim some early black type for their fillies.
The Listed East Cape Fillies Nursery over 1200m is the race of the day and both Justin Snaith and Glen Kotzen have sent raiders from the Western Cape in an attempt to grab the spoils.
Snaith has many options available in his stable so he must feel this the right race for Europeana. This daughter of Gimmethegreenlight ran on nicely on debut when third behind Gimme Dat and was even smarter last time out when winning well.
Jockey Grant van Niekerk was aboard her both those times but in Richard Fourie you have a decent replacement.
Trainer Glen Kotzen is another who is not shy at taking them on at Fairview and his charge, the filly Jewel Of Doha should run a decent race. The What A Winter filly has improved with each experience and fought off her rivals to win well last time out.
The potent combination of Alan Greeff and Greg Cheyne team up with Old Glory, who found good betting support when winning well on debut. She failed to repeat that last time but if allowed a soft lead she could prove hard to catch.
Miss Nibbles, who win well on debut, will have Marco van Rensburg aboard for the Gavin Smith yard. She beat Pot Sox (also running in this race), as did Waymaker, so the Smith yard will fancy their chances.
While these youngsters do not get official merit ratings at this stage of their careers, the handicappers do keep unofficial records. At this stage all five are very close. Old Glory is rated 88, Jewel Of Doha 87, Miss Nibbles 82 with Europeana and Waymaker on 81.
Trainer Zietsman Oosthuizen has done a fine job with his five-year-old Atyaab of late. South African Champion jockey Warren Kennedy was aboard Atyaab when runner-up behind Silver Host in January at Kenilworth.
Maybe the champion jockey learned from that ride as he followed up with two successive easy wins aboard Atyaab, turning the tables on Silver Host in the process.
Oosthuizen found a nicely programmed Pinnacle Stakes for the Australian import to pick off an easy victory and although Africa’s Gold and Aranjuez are having a good season so far, Atyaab is weighted to win this easily again.