Greeff to strike with Western Wu

HEAVYWEIGHTS Stormy Eclipse and Gimme The Stars will be hard to beat but beware the effort of Western Wu from the Alan Greeff yard in the Veasey’s Engineering College Friendly City Stakes over 1 800m at Fairview tomorrow.

With only 53kg on his back Western Wu should be a big runner.

It is a very competitive race with very few that can be ruled out, but trainer Greeff should have a strong hand with the seven-yearold son of Dynasty. He is the only Greeff runner in the race.

Charles Ndlovu was on his back in his last race over 1 800m. He then ran on well in the closing stages with 61kg on his back to finish 1,50 lengths behind Arabian Dynasty. With a turnaround of 8kg and stable-elect Greg Cheyne taking the ride this time, all indications are that Western Wu poses a big threat to the more fancied horses.

Owner Mr D Cicognini will be hoping for an eighth career win.

Cape Rebel’s last run can be ignored. He is a very game sort and can pop up to win a race like this. Regular pilot Jarryd Penny will be aiming for a big run for owner Justin Turner.

The Elmo Effect will have his third run in Port Elizabeth for the Gavin Smith yard since relocating from the Gary Alexander stable in May. He is a six-time winner from 46 starts and therefore needs a lot of respect.

In his last race he finished an improved sixth place and more improvement is expected this time.

Heavyweights Stormy Eclipse and Gimme The Stars could both contest the finish and none of them can be left out of any permutation, especially Stormy Eclipse who is a nine-time winner.

Gimme The Stars is distance suited and is eyeing a seventh career victory. Road To Indy and Story Of My Life are others than can win the race. Then there is It Is Written, who can hardly be overlooked. The seven-year-old is a better horse than his latest form suggests.

In the final analysis the vote goes to Western Wu with Cape Rebel, The Elmo Effect and Road To Indy next best. Stormy Eclipse and Gimme The Stars could both force their way into the Quartet if they do not get to the winning post first.

The first race is off at 12h40 with a Workriders Maiden Plate for fillies and mares over 1 000m.