As has been the case for a month now, the battle for Eastern Cape Champion Trainer is still in the balance and there are only a handful of meetings remaining.
Gavin Smith holds a small advantage and has been throwing runners into every race he possibly can but Greeff hasn’t thrown in the towel and his jockey Richard Fourie has been outstanding of late and it should go down to the wire
Once again at Fairview this Friday Smith has the advantage in the early races but Greeff will fight back later on the card.
The first of the Smith-trained runners that could be worth a bet is Baby Love in Race 2.
Rival Amazing Colours has been consistent and is threatening to win but Baby Love could be ready to score.
This Rabada filly showed promise when runner-up in her second start in KwaZulu-Natal and although disappointing in her last two starts they were not bad runs and certainly on a level good enough to win at this centre.
She makes her local debut and S’manga Khumalo has been entrusted with the ride.
“Bling” will also be aboard the colt Aadehya in Race 3 for the same owner-jockey combination and he will want to win on him as he has been a source of frustration to the jockey (and punters) of late.
Aadehya has shown promise without winning so far and looked to have done the job of winning in his penultimate start until very late in the race where rival Arturo took off and caught him late.
A switch from the turf to the Polytrack did not suit Aaddehya last time out but on Friday he will have no excuses this time as 1000m on the turf look ideal for the Vercingetorix colt.
Running juveniles in open company has not been successful for Smith recently but that can change in Race 4 as his charge, the colt First Origin, is talented and could be a lot better than his current merit rating.
First Origin impressed on debut when slamming a field that included a number of runners who have won subsequently.
The What A Winter gelding fluffed his lines when sent to tackle a feature race at Kenilworth in January.
A gelding operation followed and the comeback run suggested he was on the way back to form.
Third behind the reliable Fair Knight on the Polytrack was a good run.
Fitter now and reunited with the jockey Louie Mxothwa who was aboard him when winning on debut, should see a big run out of First Origin.
Greeff does hold chances all through the meeting but two that catch the eye are Grazinginthegrass in Race 7 and Phoenix in Race 8, both to be ridden by Fourie.
Grazinginthegrass is very game and fights on to the bitter end of his races and is close to winning a competitive-looking Pinnacle Stakes.
The five-year-old gelding is in the form of his life and has won his last two Pinnacle Stakes without picking up a penalty.
Race 8 looks open but Phoenix is a competitive mare who has not been ridden by Fourie since December 2022 when she finished third in a handicap off a rating of 88. She is currently rated 79.
Stable companion Sugarberry is good back up for the yard.
This Ideal World filly has a nasty No 15 draw for her jockey to overcome but she is at her very best around this course and distance and is ready to strike.
Clive Robinson
