Punters face plenty of Pick 6 potholes

TRAINER Sharon Kotzen can get punters off to a winning start on a rather tricky Fairview card tomorrow.

She saddles Gold Pact in Race 1, a Maiden Plate over 1200 meters on the Polytrack.

The son of Master Of My Fate was an unlucky loser last time when he made his debut for his new PE yard.

He finished third, just 0.55 lengths behind the winner, in his first outing on the Poly.

This time Gold Pact looks the proverbial good thing and probably the best bet on the card. Muzi Yeni is in the saddle.

King Of Promise (MJ Byleveld), Tawny Jet (Greg Cheyne) and Apollo Rock (Chase Maujean) are other contenders, but Gold Pact is set for his first career win from 11 starts.

The Pick 6 has plenty of potholes and especially Races 6, 7 and 8 look wide open with several candidates for the winner’s cheque. However, punters could get away with two “thin” legs in races 4 and 5.

Although Montana Turner-trained Vanilla Orchid has not won for 538 days, the daughter of Black Minnaloushe looks ready to strike for a second career victory in Race 4.

Devin Ashby takes the ride for the first time and will jump from gate 7 over 1900m.

Vanilla Orchid’s last run was over 1600m and the extra 300m could be to her benefit.

Race 5 looks like a twohorse race between Pick Again and In A Perfect World.

In A Perfect World, who will have Cheyne in the irons for the Alan Greeff yard, defeated Pick Again by 0.50 lengths over 1600m last time, but this time Pick Again is 1.5kg better off and Yeni could reverse the results this time for owner Mrs Elrene van Antwerpen.

Afleet Flyer, Brandina, Microbe and Steady Way are the main contenders in Race 6 over 1400m, but Palace Queen, Mistress Of Means and Alaskan Fate are all upset material.

Pick 6 hopefuls also face a difficult decision in Race 7.

They will either stick with Sir Frenchie and Dutch Philip, or add Exelero, Aldo, Kimberley Star, Dawnbreaker, Lord Balmoral, Omega Onslaught and Alwahsh as they are all capable of winning the race.

However, it will come as a surprise if Sir Frenchie and Dutch Philip both fail on the day.

The first race starts at 12:35 with a Maiden Plate for all maidens over 1200m.