It is going to be a tough overall card for the punter this Friday at Fairview but there are two cracking feature races.
They may be small fields but it will be worth a bet on Cliff Top in Race 7, The East Cape Sprint (Listed) over 1200m.
Jockey Richard Fourie may have allowed rival Cruise Control too much start in his last run and although doing his best work at the finish was still 0.75 lengths adrift at the line.
That was over 1000m and Cliff Top is much better judged on his impressive win in his penultimate start which was over 1200m.
Trainer Alan Greeff’s sprinter is fit and ready for this and should be hard to beat.
Trainer Glen Kotzen is one of two visiting trainers for this meeting and he sends out the speedy Countdown. This Gimmethegreenlight gelding made all the running in his penultimate start, winning well over the Kenilworth 1200m.
He attempted the same tactics in his latest start and was still clear of his rivals before tiring very late and finishing fifth.
Countdown may be blunted by the fact that another speed ball in the form of the filly Phedra is also carded to run and they may get into an early duel which will suit Cliff Top.
Safe Return was a decent sprinter when in the mood and a switch to trainer Gavin Smith could prove a smart move in the long run.
This gelding was only 1.15 lengths behind Countdown when they last met.
A race earlier only six runners will contest The East Cape Guineas (Listed).
The brave will reduce that down to three possible winners with Port Louis, King Regent and Perfection the three with the best form.
Kotzen has steered King Regent away from stable star Cousin Casey so far. The Dynasty gelding won his first two races, both sprints over Kenilworth 1200m.
He was consistent after that with three decent runs. Both his runner-up finish behind Without Question and his fourth place behind Royal Aussie read well and he could be the right one.
Rival Port Louis from the visiting trainer Brett Crawford has already proved himself at this track when winning in July last year, beating local star Khaya’s Hope that day.
He has proven himself to be only a few lengths inferior to the very best of his age group.
Smith has not sent out stable star Khaya’s Hope for this but has a decent chance with Perfection. The Ideal World gelding has won three of just six starts and is improving.
This is a test the handicapper is expecting him to lose as he is rated well behind his other two rivals but let us see if that is indeed the case.
Clive Robinson
