Gavin Smith well primed for Fairview

The rivalry between leading Port Elizabeth trainers Gavin Smith and Alan Greeff is akin to a football “Old Firm” derby – fierce, respectful and stretching back decades to when their fathers were duking it out on the Eastern Cape turf.

A close study of form through the card suggests Smith might edge it this time around.

He has lively candidates in all eight races, but his best for the day appears to be Samurai Dragon in the opening contest, a Maiden Plate over 1000m.

This four-year-old gelding is a transformed horse since relocating from Kimberley, where his form was dismal. The Smith magic has seen him finish closeup third, second and third in his three runs for the stable and experience and an inside draw should see him home.

The main danger might be Greeff’s Ruby Joy. She started poorly in in her only race to date but ran on well and will probably be more streetwise now.

In Race 4, Smith’s Klever Kathy is likely to start favourite and should justify the confidence. The Bold Silvano filly has never been out of the money in eight starts, clocking up one win and four seconds. Once again, a Greeff runner, Shepard’s Delight, is the main danger.

Neuf De Pape in Race 7 is another potential Smith winner, dropping back to his preferred trip of 1600m after last week’s unsuccessful experiment over 1900m. It’s also worth looking at Smith’s runners in Races 3, 5 and 8.

Today's meeting features a Pick 6 MEGAPOOL carryover of R100,000 starting in Race 3, with an estimated pool of R875,000.