Stick with Fourie at Fairview

It is almost impossible to go through a Fairview meeting without finding a race or two dominated by a Richard Fourie mount.

His first Champion Jockey title is almost in the bag and it is just a question now to see if he can better the record of 334 set by Anthony Delpech and claim the R1 million on offer for any jockey who can achieve it.

Fourie passed the 200-winner milestone at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Wednesday and could be set for a treble on the turf track at Fairview today, as he has some potent rides for trainer Alan Greeff.

He rides first-timer Hideki in Race 2, a Maiden Juvenile Plate over 1000m, and Greeff’s comments are highly encouraging – “will run well if not green”.

The Danon Platina colt has been priced up at 14-10.

Next up comes Heathcliff in Race 5, a Pinnacle Stakes over 2700m.

Heathcliff has won four of his 18 starts and Fourie has been aboard him for three of those wins so clearly knows how to get the best out of him.

Fourie did not ride Heathcliff in his last two starts, which were his first two warm-up runs after a lengthy layoff. The Canford Cliffs gelding showed good improvement last time out when third behind stable companion and rival in this race, Bournemouth, over 2400m.

Stepping up to the 2700m, a distance over which Heathcliff has won, should bring out the best in him. Arturo has only one win in 10 starts but it was over 1200m, the distance of Race 8. Blinkers were fitted on Arturo last time out, resulting in a good run when third behind improving sprinter Pompei Warning.

His merit rating has come down markedly and with Fourie up, that could make this three-year-old colt a lovely value bet.