The stakes have been boosted in KwaZulu-Natal so it’s no surprise that Highveld-based trainer Clint Binda, who often sends a few raiders with good success, is aiming to cash in on Wednesday 8 March at Hollywoodbets Greyville by sending down Fish Eagle to the coast.
The bay gelding made an eye-catching debut finishing only 1,50-lengths behind rising star Melech (who passed a tough test over further recently) in a race that was won by Fostinovo. The last mentioned won again thereafter. Fish Eagle was expected to win soon after but has been disappointing and only recently, when tried with blinkers, has started to shape.
After two solid second-place finishes, he tries the poly in Race 4, a Conditional Maiden over 1200m, and he could win it easily. None of the challengers have as good form as him.
Binda also has Dontshoothebarman in the race, another bay gelding, and he doesn’t have bad form. However, on ratings he should be second best even though being ridden by log leader Keagan de Melo.
The best race on the day, a Conditional Graduation, takes place early as it is Race 1 and it is an intriguing 1800m contest.
Aerial Display will be out to complete a hat-trick and while it is a much stronger race, he could be up to it. It is not often that a horse wins coming from off the pace on the poly but the Mike Miller inmate halfway through his three-year-old season sliced through his field to win his poly debut in style.
While this race looks tough, with natural improvement, he can make up the leeway on best weighted Sunday Island.
The latter has 5kg benefit at the weights, but he finished last in his comeback and has been making respiratory noises again.
Many will have an interest in Famous And Rich who has run with the likes of Cousin Casey, Charles Dickens and Rockpool even though he finished many lengths behind these.
Both of his wins were on the poly and now back in his hometown he could prove hard to peg back.
Wins on Aerial Display and swingers with Famous And Rich looks the way to go.
Two Highveld-runners that look definite value contenders on the card are Cash Slip (Race 2) and Life On Mars (Race 6) but the horse that could be the biggest improver on the day could be Eau De Vie (Race 7). She was most eye catching last time.
Clive Robinson
