We could well see the usual clash between trainers Alan Greeff and Dean Smith in Race 5, a Novice Plate over 1200m at Fairview on Friday.
Dean Smith-trained All Systems Go is likely to start favourite and possibly at a short price. It does seem justified, as his form is the best on paper.
The Gimmethegreenlight gelding has won only once in seven starts but has run some cracking races in defeat. All Systems Go attracted betting support and showed promise on debut when only finding in-form Greeff-trained The Roaring Rock too speedy.
Again well backed second time out, and trying the Polytrack this time, he ran out a wide-margin winner. That victory suggested that he was above average, and he was next seen when finding a very good filly, Golden Palm, far too strong for him on the day, but he in turn was clear of the rest of the field.
A trip to Gauteng to tackle the Group 2 Dingaans at Turffontein at the end of November was his next mission, and he was by no means disgraced when third to well-performed Trust. That particular run has been his best performance to date.
This year started for him with a defeat by Buffalo Bill at this track over 1400m. Again, he was beaten by a decent horse. All those runs were under Craig Zackey.
The three-year-old gelding did have two more runs this year and was well beaten twice at Turffontein, both times with Calvin Habib aboard.
All Systems Go returns from a break since March but is weighted to win this race, and Zackey is back aboard him.
As usual, we have to respect any Greeff-trained runners, and he saddles Ventura Boulevard. This two-year-old filly won on debut by 10.75 lengths in April over 1000m at Fairview.
The Heavenly Blue filly has only raced once since then, and that was when unplaced in a Group 1 at Scottsville in May. Jockey Richard Fourie was aboard her on debut, while Sean Veale rode her second time out. Fourie returns for this ride.
Earlier on the card, Race 4, a MR 96 Handicap over 1000m, looks interesting as a number of these runners have performed better on the Polytrack. Of course, there is also a chance this meeting could be switched to the Polytrack.
The Juan Nel-trained Black Egret has won two of his last three starts on that surface. He has also won on the turf and could go close to scoring again.
Clive Robinson
