Trainer Snaith should smile today

IT could be a very good day for Cape Town trainer Justin Snaith at Port Elizabeth’s Fairview race track today.

The Snaith satellite yard has been threatening to hit top gear, and with the services of jockey Gavin Lerena it might just happen today.

Katie Dubois (race 1), King Of The Rally (race 2) and My Word My Bond (race 4) are all strong favourites with Lerena in the saddle.

Last Friday, we tipped you a nice Place Accumulator and with My Word My Bond as a banker, we might just follow up on that.

Two races stand out on the busy nine-race meeting. Only eight runners will contest the third race over 2 000m but there are some nice sorts that should make it a very interesting race.

In the Breeders Guineas Plate the focus will be on three very useful three-year-old fillies: Hurricane Shelley, Star Burst Galaxy and The Merry Widow.

It looks as if the racing will be red hot and indeed we have had some very warm weather at Fairview at recent meetings.

It is interesting to see how some of the Port Elizabeth trainers cope with the hot weather.

Duncan McKenzie brought out a really nice hat to protect himself from the sun, while Jacques Strydom and Grant Paddock preferred their caps.

Dorrie Sham made a strategic move in the HB Christian Room and left her regular racing spot for a seat where she benefits more from the air-conditioner.

Gavin Smith still battled it out in his long sleeves and tie, but all eyes were on champion trainer Alan Greeff.

He usually strolls around in jacket and tie despite any heat wave and he was not planning to change his habits.

There also was a bit of a strategic move in this stable. Greeff found that the best air-conditioned room at Fairview was where the winning jockey and trainer are interviewed after each race.

The instructions Greeff gave to jockey Greg Cheyne before every race were simple – go and win so that we can get back in that interview room and away from this heat!