Hopefully, we can get racing back on the turf this Friday, as the last two meetings scheduled for the grass track at Fairview were switched to the Polytrack after heavy rains. Unfortunately, more rain is expected this week as well.
Trainer Alan Greeff and stable jockey Richard Fourie should have another good day and Splicethemainbrace does look the right one in Race 6, a Pinnacle Stakes over 1400m, provided the going is not soft or heavy. She clearly does not like that.
If they switch to the Polytrack, Splicethemainbrace has very good form on that surface and is clearly the one to beat. Stable companion Enchanting Choice has beaten her in her last two starts, but there were valid excuses for that.
The last time, Enchanting Choice was beaten a short head by Family Power with Splicethemainbrace fourth and 2.50 lengths back. Splicethemainbrace had a mouth injury and did not perform up to her high level of form.
In their previous meeting, Enchanting Choice was a winner by a head over her rival, but that was on a heavy track. There is a 2.5kg swing in favour of Fourie’s mount and that should make all the difference.
Earlier on this card, Fourie and Greeff can take out Race 2 with Olaf The Stout and Race 3 with Cherry Oh Baby. Cherry Oh Baby has already had three wins for Greeff this season and she quickened up nicely to win her latest start over this distance on the Polytrack.
She is just as good on the turf and her three-point penalty should not really be an issue.
The form in Race 2, a Juvenile Plate, looks interesting as the main challengers have all had a turn at beating each other. If, as is likely the case, Olaf The Stout is open to the most improvement, he could be the one to beat.
This Erik The Red colt was runner-up in his first two starts, the first by a rival in Just Carter and the second time by Into Red Space. He was expected to win both those, but he did make amends for those defeats by scoring in his third start.
He was impressive that day when streaking clear of a decent yardstick in Fyfield Legend by 8.25 lengths. He is clearly improving.
The two runners that could give him challenges are Chief Master and First Officer. They are promising types that could have races in them as well.
Clive Robinson
