Trainer Gavin Smith continues his fantastic season and his star three-year-old, Khaya’s Hope, is again on show at Fairview on Friday.
It would take a brave punter to look past the The United States gelding from taking out Race 7, the Ibhayi Stakes (Listed) over 1400m.
Khaya’s Hope has only been beaten once in four starts since starting to race around the turn and that was by a decent sort in Port Louis.
Victories over Zatara Magic, Famous And Rich and Perfection were all completed with little fuss and he does seem to be still improving.
Jockey Keagan de Melo took no chances aboard Khaya’s Hope last time out, leading from start to finish. He retains the ride and will be looking to complete four wins in a row on the gelding.
Trainer Glen Kotzen has a decent strike rate when raiding the Eastern Cape and his charge, Blackberry Malt, may have found 1800m a touch far last time out and will probably be well suited to the course and distance.
He really does seem to be the only real threat to Khaya’s Hope.
Visiting trainer Justin Snaith has got an improving filly on his hands in the form of Pacific Green and she is going to be hard to beat in Race 6, the Listed Lady’s Pendant over 1200m.
The Gimmethegreenlight filly has won two of her last three starts and drew away for an impressive win last time out.
A six-point penalty for her latest win will make it tougher this time for jockey Richard Fourie.
Obvious danger Phedra has had a very good season so far and was impressive over the course and distance a few runs back but she has not really lived up to that form in her recent runs.
Clive Robinson
