Greeff holds an ace in Fairview Pinnacle contest
Viv Greybe
Alan Greeff-trained Captain Marmalade, who has a definite affinity for the Fairview Polytrack, has a bright chance to make it six wins at the venue today when teamed up with Greg Cheyne in Race 7 and top event, a Pinnacle Stakes over 1400m.
This son of Captain Al is a fivetime winner at the Polytrack – four times with Cheyne aboard. Three runs back when coming off a rest and ridden by Cheyne he won by an increasing 3.50 lengths in a 1300m MR 86 Handicap.
Then stepping out after a similar layoff and partnered by Teaque Gould, he came from near last to finish a promising 2.25-length fourth to Dawnbreaker at level weights in a 1400m Pinnacle Stakes. Reunited with Cheyne in his subsequent outing and going off favourite, the gelding made light of 62kg with an impressive fast-finishing two-length win in a MR 86 Handicap over 1300m.
The five-year-old will relish the step up in distance and should complete the course double.
However, he will have to be on guard against five-time winner Dawnbreaker (Craig Zackey) out of Gavin Smith’s stable. The fiveyear-old followed up that gutsy 1400m Pinnacle win with a creditable third in the 1600m Founders Trophy at the same venue.
Another who could make his presence felt is Greeff-trained six-time winner Breakfast Club (Sandile Khathi) who has not been disgraced since winning smartly back in April with Cheyne aboard in a feature event over the course and distance. Partnered by Cheyne again, the six-year-old confirmed his current wellbeing with a decisive 2.50-length win in a 1200m MR 86 Handicap at the venue.
Greeff sends out another lively candidate in five-time winner Seattle Flame (Gould). This fouryear-old flashed up late in his most recent outing with Cheyne aboard in a 1200m MR 104 Handicap. The gelding will enjoy stepping up the distance but has more to do this time.
Watch out for the Gavin Smith stable in the minor events when teamed up with leading jockey Muzi Yeni. They should strike in Race 1 with Tundra in a 1200m Maiden Plate. This three-yearold, who has been placed in his last three starts, returns after a break and being gelded, but could recoup the losses.
The combination also looks set for a win in Race 3 with Mocha To Go who steps out in a Maiden Plate (F&M) over 1600m. The mare was unlucky in defeat last time when a fast-finishing runner-up over the course and distance.