Jack Milner: A move to the Polytrack is unlikely to bother Pot Sox who runs in Race 9 at Fairview on Friday.
The decision to change Friday’s meeting from the turf to the Polytrack came about after more than 40mm of rain fell in Port Elizabeth on Thursday.
The turf track is waterlogged in many areas and as more rain was forecast, the change was necessary.
The decision was unanimous, as it posed danger to both horse and rider.
As a result, there have been other enforced changes to the card.
Race 1 will no longer be a Workriders’ race. Professional jockeys will be taking their places.
Races 3 and 4 will now be run over 1300m and Race 7 over 1900m.
Please check the changes as there are likely to be quite a number of scratchings.
At this stage, the meeting is dominated by the two leading protagonists in the province, Alan Greeff and Gavin Smith.
While Greeff has 15 runners to saddle on this nine-race card, Smith has 20 horses carded.
It is probably easier to predict a snowstorm on the Highveld than imagine a meeting in the Eastern Cape these days where both trainers go home empty handed
However, they could both be upstaged by Sharon Kotzen in Race 9, where she sends out Pot Sox in this FM 86 Handicap over 1200m.
The recently turned three-year-old could show her elders a trick or two. This Pathfork-filly was an impressive winner of her last start in June.
Richard Fourie, who was aboard her when she broke her maiden back in April, is back in the saddle.
Pot Sox is clearly improving as she overturned a 1.75 length defeat to Miss Nibbles in February into a 4.25 length thrashing of that rival last time out.
In addition, there are not likely to be any complaints but the change of track as she won her maiden with ease on the Polytrack.
Jack Milner’s selections
Race 1: 7 Angel Of Time, 1 Ruby Woo, 4 Cut Glass, 3 Pearl Of Africa Race 2: 1 On Your Marks, 9 Queen Louise, 2 Hikaru, 3 Grace From Above Race 3: 1 Bumrah, 5 Marsh Marigold, 2 Star Effect, 8 Golden Vision Race 4: 4 Princess Zena, 6 Take Control, 2 Que Cosas, 1 Catch The Cat Race 5: 1 Norfolk Pine, 2 American Landing, 3 Indy Go, 10 Firstamongequals Race 6: 1 Alaskan Fate, 6 Bold Strike, 4 Lion King, 7 Aquaholic Race 7: 6 Run Florist Run, 1 Bold Diva, 7 Apache Dream, 8 Palace Queen Race 8: 2 Paris Opera, 1 Honey Pie, 4 Tevye, 9 Winter Vacation Race 9: 9 Pot Sox, 8 Herrin, 13 Red Berry, 1 Forest Field