There are some decent races at Fairview this Friday when they return to the turf track. The pick of the card is undoubtedly Race 6, the Fairview 1400 (Non-Black Type) over 1400m.
Trainer Alan Greeff and jockey Richard Fourie team up with Mercantour. This five-year-old gelding arrived in Greeff’s yard as a six-time winner from 31 starts and it only took him three runs at Fairview to get off the mark.
The Var gelding did so in style, drawing clear to an impressive 3.25-length win over Speed Racer on the Fairview Polytrack over 1200m.
That was only his second run on the Polytrack, and he clearly enjoyed it. Now, stepping back up to 1400m and the turf, it is worth noting that he is yet to win over this trip in four previous attempts.
However, the way he finishes off his races over sprint distances suggests that the course and distance may suit him better this time.
Earlier on the card, the Justin Snaith-trained Wild Applause should prove a solid banker for all permutations. The Vercingetorix filly lines up in Race 2, a Maiden Plate over 1200m.
Although still winless after eight starts, she has finished second on three occasions and has been running well for jockey Muzi Yeni. She looks ready to break her maiden and should be tough to beat.
Clive Robinson
