Redberry seeks debut win
AFTER being flooded with raiders from the south-west over the last three weeks, Fairview has a race card for tomorrow’s meeting that does not feature a single Western Cape visitor.
However, the competition remains strong and most races look tricky.
The first leg of the Pick 6 is, as usual, a big hurdle to leap – even though only eight runners face the starter.
Former Geoff Woodruff runner Redberry Wood can make a winning debut for the Gavin Smith yard, but will have her work cut out against the likes of Double Black, Smokey Affair, Delia’s Delight, Light On Her Toes, Reine Tonnerre and Maverick Girl.
Redberry Wood, a fouryear-old daughter of Fort Wood, comes to Port Elizabeth with one win, four seconds and three thirds from 15 starts. She is therefore an above-average sort and needs the utmost respect. Muzi Yeni takes the ride.
Local champion trainer Alan Greeff will be hoping to see Double Black put her best foot forward with Charles Ndlovu up. She ran on late last time over tomorrow’s 1 400m and finished just 0,55 lengths behind Maverick Girl on the Polytrack.
It should be between Redberry Wood and Double Black, though wary punters might want to go wide to make sure of advancing to the second leg.
In the last leg of the Pick 6, they might consider Gimme Katrina as a banker with Lyle Hewitson up.
The former Justin Snaith charge runs her second race for the Yvette Bremner stable and looks ready for a second career win. In her PE debut, she was beaten only 1,25 lengths by Charge D’Affaires over 1 200m.
The main event of the day is Race 7, the Lakeside Handicap over 2 400m.
Ultra-consistent Evolver seems to be the horse to beat here. He is in top form since arriving at the Smith yard in November. In his last race he won with Yeni up and is now 6kg better off, giving him another golden opportunity.
Fire In The Belly (Greg Cheyne), Frikkie (Diego de Gouveia), Plano (Hewitson), Go Direct (Chase Maujean) and Sheet Weaver (Kendall Minnie) are all likely to chase hard for the winner’s cheque.
Race 1 is off at 12:10.