Smith to provide hope at Fairview

Jack Milner

Gavin Smith continues to churn out winners at Fairview and he is expected to claim another small feature in Race 7, the Sophomore Plate over 1400m on the turf, on Friday.

Khaya's Hope was a good two-year-old but he seems to have improved into a very decent three-year-old and looks hard to oppose in Race 7, the Sophomore Plate over 1400m.

Khaya's Hope was a nice and easy winner on debut but did struggle until start No 8 before his second win.

None of his runs between wins were bad but he did appear a hard horse to ride and would often hang in the closing stages.

The gelding operation in May 2022 seemed to take time to get into full effect and it was only later in the year when his form took a marked step up.

Runner-up behind Port Louis over the course and distance suggested there had been a step up in form and he carried on improving with two impressive wins in October.

The first was a 3.50-length win over stable companion, and rival in this race Zatara Magic, which was quickly followed up by a 0.75-length victory over Famous And Rich in a decent field that included numerous out-of-town raiders.

This is a prep race for some bigger features but he does look up to the task.

Another good bet looks to be Blonde Act in Race 4, a MR 82 Handicap over 2000m. The gelding has won twice from three starts since joining Alan Greeff’s stable and looks likely to pick up a couple more races.

He has won twice on the Polytrack but back to the turf should not cause any problems for him and jockey Richard Fourie clearly knows how to get the best out of him.

Jack Milner’s selections

Race 1: 4 Jackson Misissippi, 5 Captain Morne, 6 Goom Goom, 15 Peronzada

Race 2: 2 Chasing Cheetahs, 3 Opening Ceremony, 4 Federal Reserve, 10 Cherry Ano

Race 3: 6 Future Legend, 3 Lady Writer, 2 Minstrel Gallery, 4 White Witch

Race 4: 6 Blonde Act, 3 King's Crusade, 2 Assured, 8 My Boy Reecey

Race 5: 2 Phedra, 9 Stolen Kiss, 3 Miss Nibbles, 1 Franca

Race 6: 2 Droghiere, 3 Narcos, 8 Vegas Gold, 5 Ledell's Echo

Race 7: 1 Khaya's Hope, 5 Indy View, 3 Perfection, 2 Pure Maverick

Race 8: 2 Slings And Arrows, 5 Daughter Of Zeus, 3 Ancestral Prayer, 6 Acorn

BEST BET

Race 7 No 1 Khaya’s Hope

VALUE BET

Race 6 No 2 Droghiere

BEST SWINGER

Race 4 3x6

BIPOT

R288

Leg 1: 4, 5, 6, 15

Leg 2: 2, 3, 4

Leg 3: 3, 6

Leg 4: 6

Leg 5: 2, 3, 9

Leg 6: 2, 3, 5, 8

PLACE ACCUMULATOR

R192

Leg 1: 2, 3

Leg 2: 3, 6

Leg 3: 6

Leg 4: 2, 3, 9

Leg 5: 2, 3, 5, 8

Leg 6: 1

Leg 7: 2, 3, 5, 6

PICK 6

R2016

Leg 1: 2, 3, 6

Leg 2: 3, 6

Leg 3: 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 9

Leg 4: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10

Leg 5: 1

Leg 6: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 10

JACKPOT 1

R96

Leg 1: 3, 6

Leg 2: 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 9

Leg 3: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10

Leg 4: 1

JACKPOT 2

R336

Leg 1: 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 9

Leg 2: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10

Leg 3: 1

Leg 4: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 10