Clive Robinson
It is the end of the tough season and with trainer Gavin Smith all but crowned East Cape Champion trainer he would like to finish it off by capturing Race 7, the Champion Juvenile Cup (Listed) over 1400m on at Fairview on Friday.
He has a decent hand in the race with some promising, and in some cases, improving juveniles but he does look like he may have it all to do as he takes on two decent horses in the form of filly Chere For Me and visiting Western Cape challenger Port Louis.
Brett Crawford-trained Port Louis has been consistent so far and did put up his best performance so far when runner-up in the Langerman over 1500m at Kenilworth last month when only finding Light Speed a bit better on the day.
It was a soft track that day and Port Louis was not well drawn so it was a run full of merit. If bringing that form to the course he will prove a tough nut to crack.
Any chinks in his armour will be exposed, however, as this will be a competitive finish and he can expect many challengers on the long Fairview straight.
Filly Chere For Me has not always shown her best form but has already won three times from just six starts.
She was full of running when winning her latest start but the runner-up that day ran a stinker in her next start.
Back to the Smith-trained runners.
There has not been too much between Khaya’s Hope and Forest Spy when they have met and both should enjoy the extra distance this time.
Sand Bank, his other runner, has made good improvement recently and he did beat Khaya’s Hope last time out. That win, and his previous victory, were both on the Polytrack .
Recent maiden Then In Focus was a very easy winner last time out on the Polytrack and faces a tougher task this time.
Rival trainer Alan Greeff is very good with fillies and has one entered for the race in the form of Double Destiny.
The Twice Over filly showed she has quite turn of foot on her when winning her second start and was again seen to good effect when running on strongly behind the class juvenile Ekoria last time out and cannot be dismissed easily and we look forward to seeing her over 1600m or further.
