Clive Robinson
There have been a few clouds hovering over some Alan Greeff-trained runners recently, as highlighted by the disappointing performance of All About Al, with a rare unplaced run from this likable Captain Al gelding last time out.
Greeff has a very good record with recruits to his yard and he seemed to have found a good one in All About Al, but the result was not all that pleasing.
Blinkers were tried on his Fairview debut, but the headgear will be removed when All About Al lines up in Race 7, the Glendore Sprint over 1000m, on Friday 25 November.
It was his first time trying the Polytrack, but it was nevertheless a bit of a shock to see him trail in well-beaten.
Jockey Richard Fourie was aboard him that day and retains the ride but that may have more to do with the weight allocated to stable companion Cliff Top.
The three-year-old Cliff Top has not been at his very best recently but is also clearly not out of it this time round.
When Greeff has decent runners in a race one always has to keep an eye on whether rival Gavin Smith can spoil the party and he certainly can with Captain Oupie in his care.
This Captain Of All gelding was storming home on local debut and looked an unlucky loser when fourth behind Naval Secret on this surface a couple of runs back.
Captain Oupie did not show his best recently on the turf track, but indicated last time out that a return to the Polytrack could be what he needs when finishing fourth behind Cruise Control.
Two other Greeff-runners on the card that should go close to winning are Blonde Act in Race 4 and Ancestral Prayer in Race 8.
Blonde Act was caught out of is ground on local debut and was low flying at the finish when only finding one better.
On Friday he also gets his first taste of the Polytrack but if that does not trouble him, he could win this race and probably follow up with more success.
Followers of Ancestral Prayer need some relief and reward after the five runner-up finishes from her this year and it would be nice to see her win the lucky last race.
