Punters could find themselves in trouble at Fairview this Friday as they are faced with a very competitive card, so it won’t surprise if they put their hopes on Queen Of Shadows late in the afternoon to bail them out or to give them a shot at the exotics.
This Vercingetorix filly will be in action in Race 7, the Listed Breeders Guineas for three-year-old fillies over 1600m, and she does look hard to oppose.
She won two of her first three starts early in her career and, although she has not won since September last year, she certainly has run to a high level of form this year and is well suited to the conditions of this race.
Interestingly jockey Richard Fourie, who was stable jockey for trainer Justin Snaith and also rides most of his Eastern Cape raiders, will get hirst first ride on this filly.
Her latest start, when beaten 1.25 lengths by Zarina, suggests she is back to winning form despite the fact that there were only five runners in that race.
Her detractors, if any, will probably be quick to point to her only run over the distance when unplaced in the Western Cape Fillies Guineas when badly drawn, and will undoubtedly query her ability over 1600m.
Looking beyond the step up in distance, she seems primed to record a third career win on her eighth outing.
Trainer Alan Greeff has always had a way with fillies under his care and seems to have found another decent one in Sweet The Sound.
This Rafeef filly lost her way after her maiden win but did return to the winner’s enclosure recently and looked smashing.
Sweet The Sound sat at the back of the field and quickened really nicely to win full of running.
She did benefit from the quick early pace as she managed to ensure she was the one with the most in reserve at the business end of the contest. The extra 200m looks to be right up her alley.
Sweet The Sound had Europeana and Zambaq behind her that day. While Zambaq may benefit from a more relaxed ride this time round, both may find it very difficult to achieve Black Type success.
Clive Robinson
