-Henk Steenkamp
The competitive sprint race for fillies and mares could be the highlight of the racing on Good Friday.
The action will be at the Fairview Polytrack and the seventh of the eight races should provide fireworks.
It is a FM 96 Handicap over 1000m and it is going to be a very fast run race.
Trainers Gavin Smith and Alan Greeff have a big say as usual and should fight it out for the win.
Record chasing jockey Richard Fourie returns to the track after a short break and will ride an interesting newcomer to the Eastern Cape in this race.
River Queraress, formerly trained by Sean Tarry, was highly rated as a two-year-old but did not live up to expectations.
The four-year-old loves the distance and if River Queraress takes to the poly surface, she will be a huge runner.
“She has been working nicely,” commented Greeff.
Golden Pacific has been one of the top earners at Fairview this season. She loves the surface and distance and has been ultra-consistent for the Smith stable.
She finished 1.25 lengths behind Esther but is 2.5kgs better off now with the apprentice jockey Trent Mayhew taking the ride.
“Luckily there is the apprentice claim (4kgs) because she is a small girl. She has a decent draw and is a definite runner,” Smith commented.
The champion trainer also expects a good run from Paris Lass with Muzi Yeni in the saddle.
Apprentice Donald Geerthsen claims 1.5kgs on Esther but 61.5kgs to carry still makes it a tough task for the Querari filly to win.
The meeting starts at 12:30 and it is not an easy card for the punters.
It might be a good idea on Good Friday to go wide in your bets and take a percentage.
Find our selections at Henk Se Wenk.