Cat and dragon to do battle
THE cat will take on a dragon in the main event on the Fairview Polytrack tomorrow.
Dragon Flame and Cat In Command look to be the main protagonists in Race 4, a MR 87 Divided Handicap over 1 600m.
Dragon Flame, formerly with Glen Kotzen, made his debut for trainer Gavin Smith three weeks ago. On that occasion he made good late progress over 1 300m to finish a length behind Captain Marmalade. It was a highly impressive first run in Port Elizabeth and he will take a lot of beating over his best distance.
Dragon Flame, who is a two-time winner from 18 starts, also carries 3,5kg less this time which will boost his winning chances even more. JP van der Merwe takes over the ride from Liam Tarentaal and has his sights firmly set on the winner’s cheque of R51 250.
However, don’t write off the Cat.
Cat In Command has also had just one run in Port Elizabeth since relocating from Patrick Lunn’s KwaZulu-Natal yard to Yvette Bremner’s stable. He ran on over 1 400m on that occasion and should make his presence felt over the extra 200m.
Cat In Command is an experienced campaigner with six wins under the belt from 41 starts.
If the Dragon cannot breathe fire into his performance and the Cat sheaths his claws, then the race becomes wide open. Grape Vine (Lyle Hewitson), Bonne Vie (Jarryd Penny) and Rahvar (Craig Zackey) could provide strong opposition.
However, those brave punters can banker Dragon Flame based on his last run.
Another possible Pick 6 banker could be Tiffendell in Race 6. Justin Snaith’s charge, who is a one-time winner from 12 outings, is another who has had only one race at Fairview, on August 4, when she finished a short head behind Northern Ballet over 2 400m.
She then returned to the Western Cape where she ran a good third behind Adorada at Durbanville. Snaith’s decision to bring her back to PE and book Hewitson for the ride is an indication that a big run is expected from the daughter of Silvano.
Her strongest opposition could come from Greg Cheyne on Sanctuary for the Alan Greeff yard. In her last race she was well placed at the 400m mark and had a much improved run to finish fourth, 2,30 lengths behind Christmas Carol.
Christmas Carol and Chit Chat can win again if Tiffindell and Sanctuary fail to produce.
The most open and difficult race on the card is Race 5 where almost all the runners have a winning chance and punters are advised to wide in this leg.
Trees Of Green, Warrior Poet, Zama and Bollemakiesie seem to be the top contenders but beware of Tin Soldier, Dutch Harbor, Lord Katawa, Shine Like A Star, Priceless Querari and Rule The World.
The meeting starts at 1240 with a Maiden Plate for fillies and mares over 1 200m.