Waiting on Silver at Fairview

The outcome of Race 5 at Fairview tomorrow will depend mostly on whether trainer Gavin Smith opts to run Barberton Silver or not.

The dilemma has arisen because the well-performed son of Silvano ran in the Listed Algoa Cup over 2000m on Friday. He was one of the better locally based contenders and ran well enough, beaten just 1.85 lengths into fifth place by Andre Nel-trained Western Cape raider Silver De Lange.

Smith will probably decide sometime today whether his charge has sufficiently recovered to take his place in this MR 90 Handicap over 1900m on the Polytrack. Should Barberton Silver run, he is clearly the one to beat as he has got the better of most of these rivals in previous races.

Interestingly though, both Finley Hill and Palo Alto are weighted to turn the tables on Smith’s charge, but he did beat them comfortably enough and probably had a lot more left in the tank.

If Barberton Silver does come out then those two and Aranjuez, winner of his last two races over 2200m at this track, should fight it out.

Alan Greeff can get punters off to a flying start and help build up the kitty for later, when he saddles Fireworks in Race 1, a Maiden Plate for fillies and mares over 1200m.

This Oratorio filly failed to win on the Highveld but ran a number of decent races and her winning turn could come on her local debut with Greg Cheyne up.

Trainer Alan Greeff is at his very best with fillies who he recruits from other yards and it would not be much of a surprise if she wins more than just one race under his care.