Jockey Richard Fourie continues smoothly on his quest to not only be champion jockey but is well on his way to breaking the record for the most winners ridden in a season.
He could take another step forward with a couple of winners on the Fairview Polytrack on Tuesday.
As is the case at most meetings in the Eastern Cape Fourie has a number of winning hopes but we will focus on two of them for the purpose of this preview and also offer two selections from rival Gavin Smith’s numerous runners.
The first of Fourie’s rides to catch the eye is Gideon’s Daughter in Race 5, a MR 76 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1900m.
This daughter of Skitt Skizzle proved costly to follow earlier in her career but see is getting better and stronger since upped in distance.
The three-year-old has won twice in nine starts with both wins coming on the Polytrack.
Gideon’s Daughter was impressive with back-to-back victories in December/January over 1600m and has held her form well since then.
She was entered for the East Cape Derby last Friday so picking this race instead could add another feather in the cap for Greeff.
A race earlier, unreliable Meetatthewindsor could go close to winning for the Fourie-Greeff combination in this Classified Stakes over 1600m.
The Pomodoro gelding has been at very best on the turf but is distance-suited and did enough in his effort on the surface on 12 March when a fast-finishing fourth to suggest he can win on the Polytrack.
Smith continues to have a steady stream of winners and Gimme’s Laddie in Race 7 and Globetonic in Race 8 could both run decent races.
Gimme’s Laddie won on local debut on the Polytrack. It was only his second run since being gelded so a three-point penalty may not be enough to stop him.
Globetonic is not easy to catch right but it could be time for him to pop up again.
The Great Britain gelding has won four of his 16 starts and most of those at fair prices.
Jockey Louie Mxothwa has a decent strike rate with Smith and won on Globetonic the only time he rode him.
Clive Robinson
