Henk Steenkamp
THE two Cape Town visitors are strong contenders to win Friday’s feature race at the Fairview Polytrack.
Silver Falcon (Justin Snaith) and Blackberry Malt (Glen Kotzen) won’t make it easy for the local stables to win the R175 000 Founders Trophy (Non-Black Type) over 1600m.
He has to carry 62kgs, but Silver Falcon can win this on his best form. Before his last run (when he didn’t like the blinkers), Silver Falcon was very consistent.
The sixth-year-old gelding has no problem with the surface and will be in search of his ninth-career victory.
Blackberry Malt is also familiar with the surface and is distance suited.
He is drawn wide but jockey Denis Schwarz will be determined to get the job done after finishing in second place with Blackberry Malt in the Algoa Cup.
Fire Alley (Jacques Strydom) was the winner of the Algoa Cup and knows how to show the visitors a thing or two.
He has won over 1600m previously but seems to prefer further these days. Fire Alley is drawn in pole position and can’t be ignored.
East Coast is an interesting runner. The son of The United States makes his debut for the Alan Greeff stable and has the ability to challenge for victory.
Bush Tracker, Mount Anderson and The Mauritian are others to consider but they will have to be at their very best to win.
The feature race is race seven of eight and 14 runners will face the starter at 16:00.
The meeting starts at 12:30 and the Pick Six gets underway with the third race, where Home Reef (Greeff) looks hard to beat, at 13:40.
All About Love (Snaith) is a possible banker in race four, the first leg of Jackpot One, at 14:15.
The second Jackpot starts with an interesting looking Pinnacle Stakes for fillies and mares over 1000m (race 5 at 14:50.)
All eyes will be on Three Rocks (Greeff) who is weighted to win the race but who hasn’t been at her best lately.
This should be an exciting race with Paris Lass, Gimme’s Lassie, Symbol Of Love, Ellorix, Woman Of Power and Kabon Kapi all capable of pulling off a win.
USA’s Hope was an easy winner of his local debut and looks ready to follow up for the Gavin Smith stable in the sixth race at 15:25.
With a few possible bankers on the card, punters can attack the challenging Pick Six.
As always, let’s give it a go!