There was nothing between trainer Gavin Smith and rival Alan Greeff in the battle for East Cape champion trainer going into last Monday’s meeting but with Greeff drawing a blank and Smith having two winners it is advantage Smith with only four racemeetings to go for the season.
There were some below-par performances from the Greeff runners on Monday and Smith will be looking to extend his lead on Friday on the Polytrack. He has a decent hand in the opening race, a Maiden Juvenile Plate for fillies as both Bella Attrice and Peace Frog hold winning chances.
Bella Attrice has improved with each run and her speed suits the Polytrack but it is Peace Frog who catches the eye.
The Horizon filly was only modest in the Western Cape but showed good improvement in her first start for the yard when runner-up over 1200m on the Polytrack.
She showed good pace wearing blinkers for the first time and the drop to 1000m this time should suit her.
S’manga Khumalo was aboard her that day and retains the ride.
Smith has two runners in Race 2, an Open Maiden over 1200m, and it would not be a surprise if either were to win.
Filly Kind Of Blue threatened to win a race early in her career and has lost her way of late but one of these days Smith might decide to take off the blinkers and she could easily bounce back and score in a weak race.
Stable companion Misava was well beaten in her last two starts over 1600m in Gauteng and should do a lot better having her first run for Smith.
She did run some fair races in that centre and is certainly good enough to win a race at this track and with blinkers fitted for the first time.
Fiery Cliffs in Race 3 is another good opportunity for Smith.
This filly will not be seen in any feature races anytime soon but has done well without a victory so far and has been unlucky not to win a race.
The daughter of Canford Cliffs filly is getting closer to the winner the further she goes and was beaten by the narrowest of margins over the course and distance last time out. She can go one better in another weak race.
Clive Robinson
