It is a big weekend in South Africa with the Grade 1 Hollywoodbets Durban July on Saturday. But the weekend begins on Friday for some, and Fairview host an eight-race card with some nice competitive events.
Champion two-year-old Cliff Top has struggled to find his best form as a three-year-old but he announced himself back with a bang last time in a convincing victory. He can follow up and take out Race 6, a Pinnacle Stakes over 1000m on the turf.
Rivals Cliff Top and Cruise Control have traded blows six times with the honours even at 3-3. However, the manner in which Cliff Top won his latest race suggests he may be ready to bury that rival once again. Richard Fourie had Cliff Top out in front from the jump and the tactics clearly suited Alan Greeff’s charge as he finished 2.50 lengths ahead of his nearest rival, Whatever Next, with Cruise Control ending up 4.65 length behind him.
There is no change in weights so no real reason to suggest a change in result this time although supporters of Cruise Control will argue the speedy gelding was clearly not himself that day and will bounce back.
The feature of the day is Race 7, the East Cape Breeders (Listed) over 1200m, and we should get a cracking finish to this competitive field. Trainer Sharon Kotzen has her runners in fine form and it was nice to see Phedra back to her best lately. She is the one they will all have to peg back going into the closing stages.
The Vercingetorix filly is only four years old so has at least one more good season in her and it is worth noting Phedra did beat Cliff Tops by 1.75 lengths when they met over this course and distance in October 2022.
If she runs to that level of form they might not catch her.
Trainer Justin Snaith is hunting winners and has sent down many for this meeting and in this particular race Kwinta’s Light will represent him.
She has been seen at her best around this distance so it was not really a surprise she battled to see out 1600m last time.
JP van der Merwe has rode this filly when fourth behind Gem King at Hollywoodbets Durbanville and will know how to get the best out of her.
He will also be aboard Speed Machine for Snaith Racing in Race 5, a Pinnacle Stakes over 1400m. Speed Machine has not won for some time now but does love a soft track which he should get on Friday unless, of course, we see this meeting moved to the Polytrack again.
Clive Robinson
