After four successive Friday meetings on the Polytrack, racing is set for the turf on Friday 19 June and there are some interesting races.
Trainer Alan Greeff has a good hand to play throughout. He will be hoping one of his runners captures the feature race on the card, Race 7, the East Cape Breeders Stakes over 1200m.
Jockey Richard Fourie rides his main hope, Virgin River, but he does have back-up in the form of Doitwithdiamonds, Kings Again and Sports Fan.
As is often the case, Greeff has done a very good job with Virgin River since joining his yard. This six-year-old mare had won twice in 14 starts before changing yards and she has added two wins to her record in just five local starts. She was also placed in her other three starts under his care.
Jockey Richard Fourie has ridden her twice and was successful on her local debut, while she was a very unlucky runner-up the other time he rode her.
Virgin River packs a decent finishing kick and she was also runner-up in her latest start behind the speedy Danish Dynamite last month.
Snaith Racing have decided to attack this race and they have four runners on the card, with Pink Pigeon likely to be sent out a short-priced favourite for this particular event. The Querari filly has been very consistent in the Western Cape and has won over this distance. It is worth noting that the in-form Tristan Godden will be riding the Snaith runner.
Earlier on in this card, both Dupont Emerald and Global Ally look potential winners for Greeff and Fourie.
Dupont Emerald contests Race 5, a FM 80 Handicap over 1600m. This Querari filly has won her last two starts. They were both on the Polytrack, but she has looked a much improved filly this year and tries a bit further this time.
Global Ally broke a long losing run when scoring on the Polytrack in January but is just as good on the turf. He lines up in Race 6 over 1800m. This distance is not a problem for him and he could be worth chancing in a very open-looking race.
Clive Robinson
