RACE BY RACE PREVIEWS: FAIRVIEW@2024.01.05
Fairview, 05.01.2024, Race 1, Gallops, 800m, Turf, R72.000, 12:30GMT+2
Race Summary: Only two of the two-year-old fillies gave raced and neither of them showed much on debut. Both will improve with that experience but the race could lie with the newcomers. SPLICETHEMAINBRACE represents trainer Alan Greeff who normally has a filly ready to win on debut in this race. HAPPY HOLLY is a Heavenly Blue filly trained by Gavin Smith and she is sure to be a major threat. MAGICAL RIVER is a daughter of Querari and she could be ready to rumble.
Selections:
#7 Splicethemainbrace, #3 Happy Holly, #6 Serendipitous, #4 Magical River
Fairview, 05.01.2024, Race 2, Gallops, 1000m, Turf, R70.000, 13:05GMT+2
Race Summary: LADY MAJORCA showed improvement when runner-up in the Western Cape last time out and that is usually good enough for this centre. She makes her local debut and it could be a winning one. HORSEFLY did not show much in five starts in Gauteng but joins a trainer who does very well with recruits to his yard. POTENT CAPTAIN was only modest in five starts in KwaZulu-Natal and can make vast improvement. SWISS WALT is holding form and can contest the finish. RAPTOR ISLAND has threatened to win a race many times and is clearly not out of it.
Selections:
#11 Lady Majorca, #4 Raptor Island, #3 Swiss Walt, #1 Horsefly
Fairview, 05.01.2024, Race 3, Gallops, 1600m, Turf, R70.000, 13:40GMT+2
Race Summary: JET BUND only found one better on local debut and this field does not appear any stronger so he should go one better. The turf will suit him. MASTER OF DEFENSE needs to do more to win but can earn some money. GANGSTER BOSS was not disgraced last time out and could prefer this longer distance. GIVE US A SMILE was not disgraced when runner-up last time out and can fight out the finish once again
Selections:
#4 Jet Bund, #5 Give Us A Smile, #2 Gangster Boss, #1 Master Of Defense
Fairview, 05.01.2024, Race 4, Gallops, 2400m, Turf, R74.500, 14:15GMT+2
Race Summary: A competitive race in which trainer Gavin Smith has a strong hand. THEN IN FOCUS is at the top of his game and should be right at home over this course and distance. Stable companion, filly SPIRIT PRINCESS, has been given some soft runs leading into this race and is weighted to win so watch for betting support. MOHANDAS was a disappointment last time out but was not far behind THEN IN FOCUS before that. ELLIS ISLAND will try and make all and is clearly not out of it. MINGSHI can also contest the finish. GREAT AFFAIR does not always show his best but is capable of an upset.
Selections:
#1 Then In Focus, #5 Ellis Island, #2 Mohandas, #6 Mingshi
Fairview, 05.01.2024, Race 5, Gallops, 1900m, Turf, R71.000, 14:50GMT+2
Race Summary: Another race that could fall the way of Gavin Smith. STORM COMMANDER can always be relied upon to give his best at the finish and should make a bold bid at winning again. LORD NELSON is better than his last run would suggest and has a place chance. ON THE GUEST LIST could be ready to show some form back on turf and could be an improver. TRIP TO BARBERTON is clearly better on the grass so has a winning chance. Stable companion DIRTY MARTINI is another who could be a surprise package if ridden with restraint this time.
Selections:
#1 Storm Commander, #4 On The Guest List, #5 Trip To Barberton, #2 Lord Nelson
Fairview, 05.01.2024, Race 6, Gallops, 1000m, Turf, R71.000, 15:25GMT+2
Race Summary: An interesting handicap. REGINA BELLISSIMA was not disgraced when fourth on debut and this appears weaker so she could be ready to score. CONCERTO has improved with each run recently and gets to show of what she is capable on the grass. She may, however, be looking for further. HOLLY’S VIEW was a well beaten third last time but can finish in the money once again. GLOBAL GODDESS has been kept to the Polytrack for some time but is not out of it on the turf. YOU WIN AGAIN makes her local debut and can improve.
Selections:
#1 Regina Bellissima, #2 Concerto, #6 Global Goddess, #8 You Win Again
Fairview, 05.01.2024, Race 7, Gallops, 1400m, Turf, R71.000, 16:00GMT+2
Race Summary: An open looking race and we may have to go very wide to survive the exotics. UNITED EXPRESS showed her best side when scoring on the Polytrack last time out and could have more to offer on the turf. STATE OF MIND has been knocking very hard on the door racing on the Polytrack lately and is just as good on the turf. DAWN OF GOLD is improving and will like this course and distance. BEAU KALA returns to the turf and has a winning chance in this division. DUMISANI is lightly raced and has scope for improvement trying a handicap. MAIDEN’S COVE is unreliable but is capable of winning.
Selections:
#3 United Express, #1 State Of Mind, #4 Dawn Of Gold, #6 Beau Kala
Fairview, 05.01.2024, Race 8, Gallops, 1400m, Turf, R71.000, 16:35GMT+2
Race Summary: ADMIRAL’S RANSOM is better drawn this time and back on the turf he could make a bold bid at scoring. WAZ WOUTER was scratched at the start of his last intended race. He ran a cracking race on the Polytrack against much better than these rivals but may have some issues and has to prove himself on the turf. Stable companion WATCH TOWER has run well on the grass and is clearly not out of it. GREEN FALCON and GIMME A DIAMOND are two other Smith-trained runners who would not be surprise winners. KUZNETSOV lacks a strong finish but can contest the finish. BATIK ran well on the Polytrack last time and is another to consider.
Selections:
#7 Admiral’s Ransom, #1 Waz Wouter, #5 Batik, #2 Watch Tower
Best Win: #4 JET BUND
Best Value Bet:
Best Longshot: #7 ADMIRAL’S RANSOM
