It is back to turf racing at Fairview on Friday, with eight interesting races on the card. There are two attractive feature races, and Roman Agent should go close to winning one of them.
He competes in Race 7, the Fairview Merchants over 1200m. This four-year-old gelding has won three of his 19 starts and has been particularly consistent for trainer Kelly Mitchley.
He won on stable debut over this course and distance in October, beating the highly rated Pop Chart. His three subsequent runs, all on the Polytrack, were good efforts without managing another victory.
Current rider Muzi Yeni has partnered the Vercingetorix gelding three times for a second and a third-place finish. He receives 9.5kg from main rival Mercantour, which could be telling in the closing stages.
Mercantour won all three legs of the recent WSB Polytrack Challenge before running unplaced at Turffontein. The Var gelding has also won on the turf and will not be troubled by this course and distance, so he remains a threat.
In the other feature race on the card, the Alan Greeff-trained Zinovi can bounce back and take out Race 5, the Fairview 1600m. This five-year-old gelding has won two of his five starts for Greeff, with both victories coming over this course and distance.
Interestingly, jockey Louie Mxothwa takes the ride on the Heavenly Blue gelding, and the pair were impressive when scoring together back in August.
Stable jockey Richard Fourie partners stable companion Joker Man, who has run well on the Polytrack in both starts for his new yard. Joker Man has won five times on the turf, so he is clearly a danger. Another serious threat is Lanciafiamme, representing the in-form Cliffie Miller yard.
The Fire Away gelding has been consistent all season in feature races and deserves a winning turn. He receives 10kg from Zinovi.
Jack Milner’s selections
Race 1: 6 Rocking In Rio, 4 Grey Eagle, 5 Just Carter, 2 Flying Skitt
Race 2: 8 TP Thunderchild, 2 Daffodil Delight, 7 Saboteur, 9 Wild Star
Race 3: 4 Baie Mooi, 1 Enchanting Choice, 2 Family Power, 3 Epikleros
Race 4: 15 Rockie Blue, 14 Warrior's Edge, 11 World Choice, 3 Blame It On Me
Race 5: 1 Zinovi, 7 Lanciafiamme, 5 Joker Man, 4 Bingwa
Race 6: 2 Bad Medicine, 3 Home Reef, 8 Anatolian Silver, 7 Three Cheers
Race 7: 7 Roman Agent, 1 Mercantour, 6 Golden Pavilion, 4 Yamadori
Race 8: 3 Champagne Problems, 1 Are You Sure, 8 Queen Of Jazz, 6 Free World
BEST BET
Race 7 No 7 Roman Afent
VALUE BET
Race 2 No 8 TP Thunderchild
BEST SWINGER
Race 3 1x4
BIPOT
R162
Leg 1: 6
Leg 2: 2, 7, 8
Leg 3: 1, 4
Leg 4: 11, 14, 15
Leg 5: 1, 5, 7
Leg 6: 2, 3, 8
PLACE ACCUMULATOR
R162
Leg 1: 2, 7, 8
Leg 2: 4
Leg 3: 14, 15
Leg 4: 1, 5, 7
Leg 5: 2, 3, 8
Leg 6: 7
Leg 7: 1, 3, 8
PICK 6
R960
Leg 1: 1, 2, 4
Leg 2: 3, 11, 14, 15
Leg 3: 1, 4, 5, 7
Leg 4: 1, 2, 3, 7, 8
Leg 5: 7
Leg 6: 1, 3, 6, 8
JACKPOT 1
R80
Leg 1: 3, 11, 14, 15
Leg 2: 1, 4, 5, 7
Leg 3: 1, 2, 3, 7, 8
Leg 4: 7
JACKPOT 2
R80
Leg 1: 1, 4, 5, 7
Leg 2: 1, 2, 3, 7, 8
Leg 3: 7
Leg 4: 1, 3, 6, 8