Clive Robinson
Trainer Alan Greeff has made a very good start to the season and will be looking to his star mare, Santa Therese, to triumph in the Jockey Club Stakes (Listed) over 2000m at Fairview on Friday.
Rain and poor visibility as well as a problem with the Polytrack caused an abandonment of Monday’s meeting after just three races were run so hopefully we do not see this meeting, which is scheduled for the turf, moved to the Polytrack.
Santa Therese struggled a bit when sent campaigning in the Western Cape last season, but it was in very good company, against the likes of Horse-Of-The-Year Captain’s Ransom.
Her runs since then were pretty decent although she was only runner-up behind Integrity, who she will face once again in this race, last time out over 1600m.
That rival was the subject of an excellent front-running display and after setting modest fractions early, Integrity sprinted all the way to the line.
Integrity has won over 2000m so it is likely she will try those tactics again, but her rivals will be wise to that move, and Santa Therese will be a better horse over this distance and Richard Fourie will be in the irons.
A bigger threat to Santa Therese could come from the Glen Kotzen-trained pair of Musical Glitch and Flower Of Saigon.
Musical Glitch was narrowly beaten by Santa Therese when they met last season but does seem at her very best around 1600m. One cannot take that for granted though.
Flower Of Saigon, on the other hand, could be at her very best over further than 2000m. She was disappointing when only fourth in her latest start but did not really see out the 3200m.
She will be doing her best work at the finish.
Two other Greeff-trained fillies could be the surprise packages of the race.
Phoenix has beaten Santa Therese but that was over shorter, and Santa Therese clearly did not run up to her form that day with blinkers fitted.
Colorado Springs has not won for some time now but is getting closer and could sneak some minor money.
Duplicity was seen to be making up ground on her rivals late last time out and the step up in distance could suit.
Maradiva in Race 1 and Crimson King in Race 2 can get favourite punters off to a good start.
