It is yet another Polytrack meeting on Wednesday 24 June and the combination of trainer Alan Greeff and stable jockey Richard Fourie once again stands out as the one to follow, particularly for Pick 6 players.
The opening leg (Race 3) appears fairly open, but Lotus Silk represents that powerful yard and could prove the class runner in the field. She has won twice from seven starts, with both victories coming on turf.
The daughter of Rafeef was only eighth when trying the Polytrack back in November, although that effort came over 1600m. Encouragingly, she produced a solid fourth on this surface last time out in a stronger race, with the winner, Black Egret, being in excellent form.
The step up to 1400m should suit, but she does concede weight to all her rivals, including a couple of in-form older horses. It may therefore be a race where punters decide between banking her or including the full field of seven.
A race later, in Race 4, an Open Maiden Plate, her stable companion Made To Measure looks to have a strong chance of shedding her maiden tag.
The Fire Away filly failed to win during her time on the Highveld but did produce several respectable performances. She tries the Polytrack for the first time, so it would be wise to include Explosive Gift as a danger in all permutations. This four-year-old filly has shown improvement of late and arguably should have finished much closer last time, when her rider hesitated at a crucial stage despite having plenty in hand.
In Race 5, a FM 66 Handicap over 1200m, This Or That could be the standout bet on the card.
The Real Gone filly was highly impressive on debut, overcoming a slow start before quickening smartly to win by a wide margin. With natural improvement, she looks capable of adding several more victories to her record.
Cherry Oh Baby in Race 6 and Arabian Red in Race 7 are both proven on the Polytrack and would not come as surprise winners in their respective events.
This brings us to the lucky last, where the consistent but frustrating Wild Fig may finally get his head in front again. The Fire Away gelding has managed just one win from 15 starts, but he is well drawn and appears overdue for a second career success.
Clive Robinson
