Henk Steenkamp
The local milers better be ready because the seven-year-old Silvano gelding Sachdev can make it difficult for them in the Fairview Mile on Friday.
The visiting stable of Western Cape conditioner Justin Snaith will contest this R175 000 Non-Black Type event (race 6 at 15:20) with Sachdev and Light Speed.
Sachdev is not the most consistent but is better than his last start when he finished fifth in the Grade 3 Ridgemont Peninsula Handicap.
He won his penultimate start over 1800m at Hollywoodbets Durbanville in fine style to show he can also win on the Fairview Turf.
Sachdev will have Craig Zackey in the saddle and has a nice draw. If at his best, and if he has travelled well from Cape Town, Sachdev will be the horse to beat.
If one looks past Sachdev there are plenty of challengers, including his stablemate Light Speed, to consider for the win.
The Gavin Smith stable is in wonderful form and Perfection will be ready to run a big race after winning the Founders Trophy in fine style last month.
Cherry Ano is another Smith runner who can have a say. He looks ready to regain his best form but has a wide draw to overcome.
“Their prep has gone well and it is a nice race, a competitive race, for them,” Smith said.
Port Louis, Global Ally (both Alan Greeff) and Bush Tracker (Sharon Kotzen) are also capable of getting involved at the finish.
Snaith will also contest one of the other two Non-Black Type races on the card, the Lakeside Handicap over 2400m (race 5 at 14:45).
Cosmic Event has a nice galloping weight of 54kgs with Zackey up to give Bournemouth (Greeff) and Gallic Tribe (Jacques Strydom) a run for their money.
Bournemouth loves the track and trip and a big run is expected of the son of Canford Cliffs, also carrying 54kgs with Richard Fourie as his jockey.
Gallic Tribe is an interesting runner, tackling the distance for the first time with 60kgs on his back.
It will take a special ride by Robert Khathi to win this one but if Gallic Tribe has the stamina to stay in touch, keep an eye out for a strong finish which could win the race.
The third Non-Black Type race is the Fairview Merchants over 1200m (race 7 at 15:55) where Smith has a very strong hand with Khaya’s Hope, Cruise Control, Slim Jannie and Safe Return.
Khaya’s Hope has won his last two starts and can make it a hat-trick.
“He is flying at home but has to carry a lot of weight (60kgs),” Smith said.
This is a race full of quality. Prince Of Fire (Kelly Mitchley) is probably the biggest danger to a Smith victory but there are also others ready to run a big race.
The meeting of eight races starts with the first at 12:30 and it is also the first leg of the Bipot in which Happy Holly (Smith) is the horse to beat.
The Place Accumulator starts with the second race at 13:00 and Pick Six players get involved from the third race at 13:35.
Luna Halo (Greeff) will be very difficult to beat in race four (14:10), the Breeders Guineas Plate for three-year-old fillies over 1400m.
Races five to seven are the three Non-Black Type events and we finish with a wide open race eight, a MR 66 Handicap over 1200m.
Find our tips at Henk Se Wenk.