Jack Milner
Monday’s meeting on the Polytrack at Fairview is not to be missed, as it features another highly anticipated rematch between the East Cape champion sprinter Cruise Control and recent nemesis Fairy Knight.
Fairy Knight beat Cruise Control at the same weight terms over the same course and distance at the end of October and is one of Alan Greeff’s big runners when she lines up in Race 7, a Pinnacle Stakes over 1200m.
It is always great to see the two Eastern Cape training juggernauts Greeff and Gavin Smith battling it out with the best horses around. Greeff has had something of a renaissance in beating prolific championship winning trainer Smith for the title recently, reminiscent of the battles their fathers had in decades gone by.
Cruise Control has been virtually impossible to catch, but Greeff’s Fairy Knight might just be the one to finally dethrone the undisputed sprint king of Gqeberha.
Fairy Knight ended Cruise Control’s unbeaten run on the Polytrack with a 3.85-length beating and they run off the same 62kg weight and over the same 1200m.
So, should the result change this time?
The handicapper was only allowed to up Fairy Knight a six-point penalty for the win and with a merit rating of 112 appears inferior to Cruise Control who is the jurisdictional leader at 118.
But that meant little when Fairy Knight flew by Cruise Control with a powerful finish. Fairy Knight looks set to maintain his unbeaten record over the course and distance and take over the crown.
Over 1000m it would be hard to stop Cruise Control but the additional 200m will favour the younger filly who will once again have Richard Fourie in the irons.
Craig Zackey will resume his role as the jockey on Cruise Control.
That will also be an interesting match-up as Fourie, the current champion jockey, will come up against one of the pretenders for his crown. Zackey is the first jockey to ride 100 winners this season and currently tops the log.
Jack Milner’s selections
Race 1: 3 Decree, 4 Bright Future, 1 Always Shining, 8 Seeking The Life
Race 2: 5 Oliver Twist, 8 Tik Tok Addiction, 6 Grand Oasis, 7 Cheerful Charlie B
Race 3: 7 September Flower, 5 Jambo Sana, 8 White Hills, 1 Strange Magic
Race 4: 8 You Win Again, 4 Unconquerable Lady, 1 Symbol Of Love, 2 Golden Pacific
Race 5: 3 First Wish, 5 Querandi, 1 Lady Zultanite, 4 Gold For Africa
Race 6: 9 Millennium Dancer, 2 Mr Molony, 7 Head Gardener, 6 Coral Creek
Race 7: 2 Fairy Knight, 1 Cruise Control, 3 Cliff Top, 5 Romance In Rome
Race 8: 3 Sharapova, 3 Cruzador, 1 Below Deck, 6 Russian Empire
BEST BET
Race 8: 3 Sharapova
VALUE BET
Race 6: 9 Millennium Dancer
BEST SWINGER
Race 2 5x8
BIPOT
R216
Leg 1: 1, 3, 4
Leg 2: 5, 8
Leg 3: 7
Leg 4: 1, 4, 8
Leg 5: 1, 3, 5
Leg 6: 2, 6, 7, 9
PLACE ACCUMULATOR
R108
Leg 1: 5, 8
Leg 2: 7
Leg 3: 1, 4, 8
Leg 4: 1, 3, 5
Leg 5: 2, 7, 9
Leg 6: 1, 2
Leg 7: 2
PICK 6
R900
Leg 1: 5, 7, 8
Leg 2: 1, 2, 4, 7, 8
Leg 3: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Leg 4: 1, 2, 6, 7, 8, 9
Leg 5: 1, 2
Leg 6: 2
JACKPOT 1
R300
Leg 1: 1, 2, 4, 7, 8
Leg 2: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Leg 3: 1, 2, 6, 7, 8, 9
Leg 4: 1, 2
JACKPOT 2
R60
Leg 1: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Leg 2: 1, 2, 6, 7, 8, 9
Leg 3: 1, 2
Leg 4: 2