Greeff and Cheyne look to make merry
Viv Greybe
Champion trainer Alan Greeff had a rare blank day at Fairview last Friday when without the services of champion jockey Greg Cheyne but the combination should come to light today at the same venue.
The partnership looks poised to strike in Race 3 with four-yearold Rainbow Skink who has been threatening a second career win and contests a MR 60 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1200m. This well-bred filly comes off an inspiring last run with Cheyne aboard at Fairview where she carried 58kg and flashed up from near last to finish a 1.60-length third in a MR 59 Handicap over 1300m. If better positioned this time she should be in the winner’s enclosure.
Her main threat is top-weight Lady Diddeo, also out of Greeff’s stable. This mare was a gutsy close maiden winner in her most recent outing when having her first run for her new stable. The pick of the rest are Butterfly Spirit and Await The Day.
The combination will be in warm order with What A Player in Race 4, a maiden contest for fillies and mares over 1600m. The threeyear-old showed promise in big maiden fields over 1200m in her two runs, coming from last after a slow start to finish third. Then after a short rest and ridden by Cheyne again, she ran on stoutly to claim a close second. The filly gave an indication she will like the step up distance this time and with the advantage of a good draw she should exit the maiden ranks. She could be followed home by Exclusivity, Goddess Aurelia and Queens Chapel.
Greeff sends out another bright prospect in six-time winner Western Wu (Cheyne) in Race 6, a MR 74 Handicap over 1400m. This gelding was an impressive winner three runs back with Cheyne up and followed up with a gallant second despite being slow out and finishing lame. His subsequent unplaced run can be ignored as he was slow out and was cramped for galloping room. He returns after a short rest and with the advantage of pole position will be tough to beat.
Best of the remainder are Coyote Creek, Grandissimo and Cape Rebel.