Smith and Greeff at it again – back on Poly

Jack Milner

Once again, the meeting originally scheduled to be run on the Fairview turf track on Friday, has been moved to the Polytrack due to persistent rain.

Despite the change of surface, all distances remain the same.

With just over a month left in the 2022/23 season there is not much between Gavin Smith and Alan Greeff in the battle for the East Cape Champion Trainer’s title with Smith ahead by just three winners.

He could stretch his advantage in Race 1 as his charge, Aadehya, did a lot wrong last time out and still nearly won.

The Vercingetorix gelding was slowly away and made smooth progress to lead until tiring very late. That was over 1200m and it is easy to see why they have opted for 1000m this time.

S'manga Khumalo retains the ride.

Greeff can pull one back in Race 2 when filly Principessa Mia returns to the turf. This Pathfork filly was seen to be making good late headway on debut when finding a Smith-trained runner better on the day.

Principessa Mia fluffed her lines on the Polytrack in her second start when caught far out of her ground but did do better in her next Polytrack outing when finishing third.

The key to her winning though is that she returns to the turf and jockey Richard Fourie has stuck with her.

Later on the card Smith could strike again with Jaeger Moon when he lines up in Race 6, a Pinnacle Stakes over 2700m.

Jaeger Moon has not won in over a year but remains in good form and the distance on the Polytrack will be no problem for him. Jaeger Moon has been in good nick all year and S’manga Khumalo will be on duty again.

Jack Milner’s selections

Race 1: 1 Aadehya, 7 The Lady Love, 2 Abound, 4 Guerra

Race 2: 3 Principessa Mia, 1 Mari Marie, 6 Mediteraneangoddes, 5 Fly Better

Race 3: 1 Capitaine Maurice, 6 Bennelong Point, 2 Miraculous Man, 5 Western Jack

Race 4: 1 Law Court, 2 US Open, 5 Florida Hills

Race 5: 9 Pisces, 4 Opening Ceremony, 1 Elusive Justice, 3 American Dazzler

Race 6: 1 Jaeger Moon, 4 Ideal Angel, 6 American Landing, 2 Heathcliff

Race 7: 1 And We Danced, 2 Santa Therese, 3 Belle Of Belize, 7 Twice To Heaven

Race 8: 12 Angelsea, 5Hilarity, 3 Opera Swing, 7 Saint Anastasia

Race 9: 2 Cool Winter, 6 Questor, 14 Xplicit Content

BEST BET

Race 9 No 2 Cool Winter

VALUE BET

Race 5 No 4 Opening Ceremony

BEST SWINGER

Race 1 1x7

BIPOT

R162

Leg 1: 3

Leg 2: 1, 2, 6

Leg 3: 1, 2, 5

Leg 4: 1, 4, 9

Leg 5: 1, 4, 6

Leg 6: 1, 2

PLACE ACCUMULATOR

R216

Leg 1: 1, 2, 6

Leg 2: 1, 2, 5

Leg 3: 4, 9

Leg 4: 1, 4

Leg 5: 1, 2

Leg 6: 3, 5, 12

Leg 7: 2

PICK 6

R1000

Leg 1: 1, 2, 5, 10

Leg 2: 1, 3, 4, 5, 9

Leg 3: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6

Leg 4: 1, 2

Leg 5: 3, 5, 6, 7, 12

Leg 6: 2

JACKPOT 1

R250

Leg 1: 1, 3, 4, 5, 9

Leg 2: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6

Leg 3: 1, 2

Leg 4: 3, 5, 6, 7, 12

JACKPOT 2

R50

Leg 1: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6

Leg 2: 1, 2

Leg 3: 3, 5, 6, 7, 12

Leg 4: 2