A two-time winner from just four starts, the Alan Greeff-trained New Day is clearly improving and was a very easy winner last month. She should prove hard to beat in Race 5, a FM 72 Handicap over 1600m at Fairview on Wednesday.
The Canford Cliffs-filly stepped up to 1400m for her latest win and tries even further this time, but it was clear in her last success that this longer distance should not trouble her.
Jockey Richard Fourie has ridden her in all four of her starts. He sent her clear shortly after entering the straight last time out and she never looked in doubt.
Being well-drawn this time might allow Fourie to conserve her for a little while longer, but it will be a surprise if she is not good enough to see off these rivals as her eight-point penalty does not seem enough.
Small fields and competitive racing will be the order of the day for the first half of this card, but the well-bred Madra Rua does catch the eye in Race 1, a Maiden Plate over 1300m.
A gelded son of the mighty Frankel and out of the quality Run Fox Run, this now four-year-old has been a disappointment to date.
Frankel retired as an unbeaten champion at two, three, four and five years old.
As a sire, he has been outstanding, but South African punters have yet to see a decent Frankel in this country.
Admittedly, not too many have raced here, but we still crave a good one.
Getting back to Madra Rua, he has had eight starts, all on the grass, with three top-three finishes and three fourth-place finishes.
Trying the Polytrack could see him break the ice after a change of trainer, and he is now ridden by Callan Murray.
Clive Robinson
