Henk Steenkamp
The start and the finish could well be the highlights of Friday’s Fairview Turf meeting.
We start with the Work Riders Maiden Plate over 1200m which is always a popular event with the Fairview crowd.
The riders can’t wait to show what they can do and with 14 runners going to start we are in for an exciting race.
A Work Riders Maiden Plate is always a tricky affair but Greenlight Express, Velvet Valour and Extraction should get you through the first leg of the Bipot at 12:25.
The start of the Place Accumulator is even more tricky with nine newcomers lining up for the second race, a Maiden Juvenile Plate over 1000m, at 13:00.
Direct Hit is the only filly in the race and has been priced up as the clear favourite. Also keep an eye on Royal Kingdom and Supreme Judge.
My Best Shot is the horse to beat in the Sophomore Plate over 1400m. This is the third race and the first leg of the Pick Six at 13:35.
Since his last victory over 1600m on the poly, My Best Shot has been gelded and should be ready to win again.
He loves track and trip and the combination of trainer Alan Greeff and jockey Richard Fourie has been in red hot form lately. My Best Shot is a popular banker in all bets.
Fire Alarm is another Greeff runner who looks very hard to beat in race four, the first leg of Jackpot One, at 14:10.
It could be another great outing for Greeff and Fourie because Heart Stealer also looks ready to win again when he lines up in the fourth race, the first leg of Jackpot Two, at 14:45.
A lovely bunch of fillies and mares will contest a strong Pinnacle Stakes over 1000m in the eighth and last race.
Three Rocks (Greeff) is the East Cape Champion Sprinter of last season but hasn’t been at her very best lately.
If putting her best foot forward she is a big runner and could well fight it out for the win with the Kelly Mitchley-trained Passchendaele.
Passchendaele ran a cracker when fifth in the Grade 3 Betway Carry On Alice Stakes last time and another solid effort can be expected.
These two are the principal runners but there are a handful of others ready to make a race of it.
As always – let’s give it a go!