It is back to turf racing at Fairview on Friday, with eight interesting races on the card. There are two attractive feature races, and Roman Agent should go close to winning one of them.
He competes in Race 7, the Fairview Merchants over 1200m. This four-year-old gelding has won three of his 19 starts and has been particularly consistent for trainer Kelly Mitchley.
He won on stable debut over this course and distance in October, beating the highly rated Pop Chart. His three subsequent runs, all on the Polytrack, were good efforts without managing another victory.
Current rider Muzi Yeni has partnered the Vercingetorix gelding three times for a second and a third-place finish. He receives 9.5kg from main rival Mercantour, which could be telling in the closing stages.
Mercantour won all three legs of the recent WSB Polytrack Challenge before running unplaced at Turffontein. The Var gelding has also won on the turf and will not be troubled by this course and distance, so he remains a threat.
In the other feature race on the card, the Alan Greeff-trained Zinovi can bounce back and take out Race 5, the Fairview 1600m. This five-year-old gelding has won two of his five starts for Greeff, with both victories coming over this course and distance.
Interestingly, jockey Louie Mxothwa takes the ride on the Heavenly Blue gelding, and the pair were impressive when scoring together back in August.
Stable jockey Richard Fourie partners stable companion Joker Man, who has run well on the Polytrack in both starts for his new yard. Joker Man has won five times on the turf, so he is clearly a danger. Another serious threat is Lanciafiamme, representing the in-form Cliffie Miller yard.
The Fire Away gelding has been consistent all season in feature races and deserves a winning turn. He receives 10kg from Zinovi.
Trainer Zietsman Oosthuizen could win the last race with Are You Sure, who makes her debut for the yard. She has only won one of her 12 starts so far but is often competitive and could score in this low-level handicap.
Clive Robinson
