That headline is usually heard during a golf matchplay tournament but it does describe the situation in the race for the 2022/23 East Cape Champion Trainer’s title.
Trainer Gavin Smith holds an advantage of two winners with three meetings left to go.
He also has another advantage in that he usually has more runners carded for Polytrack race meetings than rival Alan Greeff and that is the case once again on Friday.
In Race 1 it could go either way with their runners as although both can win they have work to do, Smith-trained Bella Attrice is holding her form and was 3.75 lengths ahead of rival Lady D’arbanville when they last met, it is the Richard Fourie-ridden filly who has more scope for improvement as it was the first run since a change of trainer and her first taste of the Polytrack.
Both trainers hold winning chances in Race 2. Principessa Mia has been a disappointment since her turf debut but has done enough to suggest she can win this race for Greeff.
Misava (Smith) was only run out of it late by her stable companion last time and should be right there at the finish once again.
Greeff has no runners in Race 3 and his rival has four, the best of them being Bridgetown who is knocking hard on the door.
Stable companion Battenberg can also run well at decent odds and is a nice back-up to have. Race 4 is very interesting. Greeff’s Inherit The Rain is the in-form runner but a wide draw may have enticed Fourie to pick Whatever Next instead. This gelding is on a long losing streak but ran well into fourth last time out.
Inherit The Rain will be doing his best work at the finish and Greeff will be hoping Cool Winter can run well above his rating.
Captain Morisco (Smith) has won over the course and distance and is backed by stable companions Safe Return and Slings And Arrows. Neither of those are out of it on their best form.
Race 5 sees Greeff stepping up the distance for improving Bournemouth and the way that gelding has been finishing off his races he could relish the trip.
Smith also sees a step-up in distance for Then In Focus and he too could like it. Stable companion Question Master is a proven stayer and ran well on local debut.
Race 6 is a fillies and mares handicap and Smith has five runners carded and Greeff three.
To pick between those eight is a task for the brave.
Smith will be hoping his loyal soldier, Jaspero, can win Race 7. The gelding has been very effective over the course and distance but is on a long losing streak.
Stablemate Duke Of Orange does not always show his best side but is capable of winning.
Greeff does not have a runner in the race.
The lucky last sees the advantage swing heavily in favour of Greeff pulling the winner out of this.
Esther was very game when scoring last time out over the 1200m and this shorter distance, if using the same tactics, should suit her even better, but stable companion Executor looked an unlucky loser.
She was slowly away and was touched off by Esther. Fourie is aboard Executor and that should be the difference this time.
Smith will be relying on recent maiden winners Golden Pacific and Komesans Passion to follow up while his other runner, Global Goddess, has performed well on the Polytrack and is not out of it either.
Clive Robinson
