Clive Robinson
One could not have asked for a better start to a training career than Kelly Mitchley has had and it could get even better at Fairview on Friday as she could pull off the Listed Algoa Cup over 2000m at her first attempt.
Yes, the big day for the Eastern Cape horseracing enthusiasts has arrived and in a tough looking race Mount Anderson is the selection.
Expected to need the first run at this centre, the Vercingetorix gelding still proved up to the task by beating some in-form runners.
He meets most of those rivals again and at the higher weight will make that task tougher, but he should have tightened up from that outing.
Jockey Marco van Rensburg was aboard him that day and now gets a chance at some rare feature-race success.
All the usual visiting trainers have runners, and it is Glen Kotzen who does look to have the strongest hand.
Fresh from a 1-2 finish last Friday in the final leg of the Poly Challenge at Fairview, Kotzen sends out Chollima, Crimson King, Follow That Star and Han Solo.
Crimson King has ability but has not shown it in a while. Chollima was impressive when scoring in the East Cape Derby the last time he was seen at this course but has struggled in his two outings since then.
However, if fit and well Chollima should be right there at the finish.
So too for that matter should Follow That Star and Han Solo. Follow That Star has been very good when showing up at Fairview and clearly loves the track.
Han Solo was considered an unlucky loser (taken away from him in the boardroom) in his latest start and will be doing his best work at the finish.
Grazinginthegrass is probably the best of the locally trained horses. He was narrowly beaten by Mount Anderson recently and he has been ultra-consistent all season.
There are plenty of others who would not be surprise winners.
Trainer Justin Snaith does not raid as often as before so we must take note of Thefutureisbright. This gelding was not far behind Han Solo last time out and this race may have been his target all along.
Trainer Candice Bass-Robinson had five legs of the Pick 6 at Kenilworth last Saturday which indicates her yard is in good health, and although Arctic Drift does not have any obvious form that suggests he is the right one, he might pop up in a place.
There are decent horses all through this card and improving Phedra takes on just five other runners in Race 2 and could stretch her winning run to six on the trot.
Gavin Smith-trained Khaya’s Hope has impressed the further he has gone and although in Race 6, Racehorse Owners Association Stakes (Listed) over 1 600m, he faces his toughest test to date, he could pull through.
Stable companion Cruise Control has been impressive since being gelded and looks the right one in Race 8.
