Clive Robinson
Global Drummer has not been at his very best recently, but we should not write him off just yet and he could once again make all the running in Race 7, the Nelson Mandela Bay Racing Polytrack Challenge over 1400m at Fairview on Friday.
Trainer Gavin Smith’s champion may have just needed his last run when returning from an unsuccessful raid on Kwa-Zulu Natal and only found Inherit The Rain a bit better on the day.
Unbeaten in three starts over the course and distance and well weighted for this race Global Drummer, if allowed a soft lead, will be hard to run down.
JP van de Merwe is back aboard, and he knows him well.
Pleasedtomeetyou has been in good form for current trainer Juan Nel and only has a 1.50-length deficit to reduce on Global Drummer when they met back in March.
This longer distance should not be a problem.
Stable companions Naval Secret and Greenlighttoheaven were ahead of Pleasedtomeetyou last month over the 1200m and both could arguably be better horses over 1400m.
Both are capable of a strong finish and deserve respect.
Rival trainer Alan Greeff could have a decent day as he has some winning hopes earlier on the day.
Divine Design has only found one runner too good for her in each of her starts and she should be smart enough to take care of her rivals in Race 1, a Maiden Plate for three-year-old fillies over 1200m.
Wildest Dreams was narrowly beaten by Crafty Heart in her latest start, and they could fight out the finish in Race 5, a Classified Stakes over 1900m.
Wildest Dreams will have Richard Fourie in the irons this time and could perhaps turn the tables.
In Race 6, a MR 80 Handicap over 1000m, all three of Greeff’s runners have winning chances and it would take a brave man to be confident on just one of his three will be better on the day.
Rock Garden is talented and drops in class. He is also having his third run back from a break so should be ready to strike.
Savannah Winter and Red Berry have shown a distinct liking for the Polytrack and will also be right there at the finish.
