Snaith’s Pigeon to send a message

The East Cape Breeders Stakes over 1200m heads up the card at Fairview on Friday but for the fourth successive week the meeting, due to be raced on turf, has been moved to the Polytrack.

That means that the feature race, which is Leg 1 of the Eastern Cape (F&M) Challenge, will not be run on the surface over which it was intended, but there is still a strong and competitive field for racing fans to enjoy.

Leg 2 of the Challenge is the Listed East Cape Paddock Stakes over 1600m on Friday 10 July, with Leg 3, the Listed Jockey Club Stakes over 2000m on Friday 14 August.

A bonus of R250,000 will be paid to the connections of the horse that wins all three legs.

There are 11 runners carded to run in the Breeders Stakes, and the field is made up of four runners from each of the Alan Greeff and Dean Smith yards, and one each from Cliffie Miller, Juan Nel and Justin Snaith.

And it is Pink Pigeon from the Snaith stable that has been priced up a strong favourite at 8-10, even though her only run on the Polytrack, which was at Hollywoodbets Greyville, saw her finish last in a field of 12, although beaten just 5.90 lengths.

It is worth noting that Snaith has often scratched his runners owing to a change of surface and it could be significant that he has allowed this filly to run.

In fairness, she did have excuses for that poor run as she was drawn No 12 out of 12 and was forced to check 300m from home. This Querari filly does have the best form in the race and remains the runner to beat.

Tristan Godden takes the ride.

Richard Fourie rides Greeff’s main hope, Virgin River, but he does have back-up in the form of Doitwithdiamonds, Kings Again and Sports Fan.

As is often the case, Greeff has done a very good job with Virgin River since joining his yard. This six-year-old mare had won twice in 14 starts before changing yards and she has added two wins to her record in just five local starts. She was also placed in her other three starts under his care.

Jockey Richard Fourie has ridden her twice and was successful on her local debut, while she was a very unlucky runner-up the other time he rode her.

Virgin River packs a decent finishing kick and she was also runner-up in her latest start behind the speedy Danish Dynamite last month.

Best of the Smith runners looks to be Song Of Myself who boasts winning course-and-distance form. She has won five of her 13 career starts and is favourably drawn on the inside.

With proven Polytrack credentials and a profile well suited to the revised conditions, she could prove a value alternative in a race that may not be as straightforward as the betting suggests.

Calvin Habib will be back on board Song Of Myself.

Jack Milner’s selections

Race 1: 6 Carnival, 1 Fyfield Legend, 2 Gimmethatworldcup, 7 Night Vision

Race 2: 3 Wait For Me, 10 Nobody’s Perfect, 1 Stone Of Scone, 4 Focal Point

Race 3: 9 Redlight Lane, 3 Masterofthebaroque, 1 Turbulent, 5 Pretty Boy

Race 4: 1 Taste The Rainbow, 2 Monkey’s Wedding, 4 Alakazam, 5 Dead Poets Society

Race 5: 4 Too Late My Mate, 5 Supreme Fate, 2 Dupont Emerald, 1 You’re So Special

Race 6: 1 Global Ally, 8 Hollandia Bakkerij, 4 Makhachev, 5 George Handel

Race 7: 3 Pink Pigeon, 4 Virgin River, 1 Song Of Myself, 5 Unconquerable Lady

Race 8: 9 My Dear Friend, 3 Warofdynamite, 7 Warrior Of Royalty, 4 Chocolate Bomb

BEST BET

Race 7: 3 Pink Pigeon

VALUE BET

Race 8: 9 My Dear Friend

BEST SWINGER

Race 3 3×9

BIPOT

R216

Leg 1: 1, 6

Leg 2: 3, 10

Leg 3: 3, 9

Leg 4: 1, 2, 4

Leg 5: 2, 4, 5

Leg 6: 1, 4, 8

PLACE ACCUMULATOR

R216

Leg 1: 3, 10

Leg 2: 3, 9

Leg 3: 1, 2, 4

Leg 4: 4, 5

Leg 5: 1, 4, 8

Leg 6: 3

Leg 7: 3, 7, 9

PICK 6

R1500

Leg 1: 1, 3, 9

Leg 2: 1, 2, 4, 5, 6

Leg 3: 1, 2, 4, 5, 8

Leg 4: 1, 4, 5, 8

Leg 5: 3

Leg 6: 3, 4, 5, 7, 9

JACKPOT 1

R100

Leg 1: 1, 2, 4, 5, 6

Leg 2: 1, 2, 4, 5, 8

Leg 3: 1, 4, 5, 8

Leg 4: 3

 

JACKPOT 2

R100

Leg 1: 1, 2, 4, 5, 8

Leg 2: 1, 4, 5, 8

Leg 3: 3

Leg 4: 3, 4, 5, 7, 9