Trainer Brett Crawford does not always send raiders to the Eastern Cape, but when he does, he usually goes home with the money.
He has sent a number of runners down to Fairview for the meeting on Friday 22 April, and it is his La Vida which looks a banker bet in Race 3, a Maiden Plate for fillies and mares over 1200m.
This Dynasty filly has only had four runs so far and she has twice finished runner-up, the latest when second to Noble Grace when caught very late, suggesting that her winning turn is not far away. That was over 1250m at Durbanville so the 1200m of this race should be ideal.
Jockey Luyolo Mxothwa has been booting home winners all season for Crawford and this will be his first time aboard the three-year-old filly.
Later on, in Race 7, the unbeaten Alpine Challenge does duty for the Crawford-Mxothwa combination, and he is likely to go to post as the favourite to win the Listed East Cape Nursery over 1200m.
Alpine Challenge put in an impressive display on debut when winning from start to finish, beating Winning Single by 3.25 lengths at Kenilworth.
Being full of running in the closing stages suggests that the step up to 1200m should not be a problem.
It is an intriguing race, however, as we need an answer for the runs of both Cliff Top and Khaya’s Hope last time out.
Cliff Top was well held by rival Cruise Control when the two met on debut. Cliff top was sent out a short-priced favourite that day.
The pair then met at Kenilworth where once again the money came for Cliff Top and he proved superior on the day with a nice win.
Cruise Control, on the other hand, faded out and was well beaten.
Cruise Control returned to Fairview and was once again a wide margin winner.
Cliff Top and Khaya’s Hope were expected to fight out the finish when they met recently and it was a shock to most punters when Khaya’s Hope could only manage third behind rivals Mur Mur and Feeling Foxy.
It is possible that both Khaya’s Hope and Cliff Top did too much too early and both are likely to be given more patient rides this time.
Another Gavin Smith trained runner Forest Spy also comes into calculations as he is seeking a hat-trick after two good wins recently.
Clive Robinson
