Peonie Rock can edge out rivals

THE Lady’s Pendant (Listed) over 1 200m is a tricky affair at Fairview tomorrow.

Several runners stake a claim for the winner’s cheque of R93 750 and punters can expect a thrilling finish.

It is a race that looks wide open and Peonie Rock and Champery look ready to make their presence felt. Peonie Rock ran on strongly last time when finishing second behind Dance In The Woods, while Champery was just 2,05 lengths off the winner in her last run at Kenilworth last month.

Peonie Rock will have JP van der Merwe in the saddle for the Gavin Smith yard, while Gavin Lerena is aboard Champery for trainer Justin Snaith.

Clear Sailing (Greg Cheyne), Night In Tahiti (Karl Zechner), Victoria Lavelle (Cullan Murray) and Our Destiny (Raymond Danielson) all have ability and are expected to find good support in the betting, while Summer Cruise (Charles Ndlovu) and Felicity Flyer (Robert Khathi) can both cause an upset.

Ndlovu, particularly, would like to stamp his authority after a hat-trick of wins last week.

In the final analysis Peonie Rock is selected to lead home Champery, Night In Tahiti and Clear Sailing.

The Lady’s Pendant is Race 7 on the card and punters are advised to go wide in the exotics.

There is also a lot of interest for Race 2 over 1 000m where Juan Two Three and Normanz are set to fight it out.

Normanz won his last race over 1 200m with Sir Duke second and Juan Two Three third. Normanz gets the vote to record a second consecutive victory for the Tara Laing yard.

Lerena takes over the ride from S’manga Khumalo for owners Mayfair Speculators.

Normanz was never in doubt in his last race and should start as favourite. Although Juan Two Three finished third last time, he was just 1,50 lengths off the pace and should be respected with Greg Cheyne up.

A horse who cannot be overlooked is Alan Greefftrained In search of the sun. The grey seven-year-old is clearly returning to his best form when finishing just 1,75 lengths behind Normanz last time. Teaque Gould is in the saddle for Mr PJ Louwrens.

In search of the sun is by far the most experienced runner in the race with 10 wins from 46 starts.

In the third leg of the Pick 6 Grant Paddock-trained One Away looks like a banker. The four-year-old son of Warm White Night is in great form and therefore Sandile Khathi should record his third win from 20 outings.

One Away came second in all of his last three starts behind Notting Hill, Dreamforest and Streak.

The first race is off at 1235