Fresnaye looks a class act
THE Joey Ramsden-trained Fresnaye is a ray of light on a rather tricky Fairview race card tomorrow.
The classy daughter of Western Winter contests the main event, the Jockey Club Stakes, in Race 7 over 2 000m and should be hard to beat. Fresnaye is a fourtime winner from 13 starts and will have Aldo Domeyer in the saddle.
In her last race at Kenilworth she ran second, 1,75 lengths behind Brave Move, but she won both her penultimate races in style with both Cape Charlotte and Dynasty’s Blossom coming off second best.
Fresnaye looks like a banker in all exotics and will have Bernard Fayd’Herbe in the saddle. Jockey and horse form a formidable combination. Ramsden obviously did not enter her for nothing and it will really come as a surprise if she does not win this race.
Another Western Cape campaigner, Konkola from the Justin Snaith yard, is also an above-average sort and could also be a factor in the closing stages with Richard Fourie up. Konkola has won three of her 20 races and will jump from pole position.
Port Elizabeth’s hopes are on classy Beat about the bush and the Alan Greeff trained filly is a game sort and will not give up without a fight.
As an eight-time winner from 19 outings and with Domeyer in the irons local fans can be sure of a big effort from the Mr & Mrs AC Greeff, and Messrs CG & LF Scribante owned runner.
Beat about the bush always gives her best and cannot be underestimated.
Others to consider include Patchit Up Baby (Muzi Yeni), Smokey Affair (Louis Mxothwa), Lucky Lulu (Shadlee Fortune) and Widow’s Lamp (Ryan Munger).
However, in the final analysis the vote goes to Fresnaye with Konkola, Beat about the bush and Patchit Up Baby next best.
In Race 6 the Gavin Smithtrained Lunar Rush can also be considered as an exotic banker. The former Duncan Howells-trained runner will make het debut for her new stable and will also have Fayd’Herbe in the irons.
Lunar Rush, a five-time winner from 17 starts, is a good mare and is in with a big chance.
Horses from KZN seldom win their first race in Port Elizabeth, but Fayd’Herbe can make the difference this time.
If she does not run to her true ability, Captain Alfredo, Anglet and Le Grand Rouge could possibly be next best.
The first race is off at 1305.