It’s a new day for champions Greeff and Fourie

Jack Milner

Last weekend Alan Greeff and Richard Fourie were named the respective Eastern Cape Champion Trainer and Champion Jockey once again, and that was well deserved.

And it is business as usual at Fairview on Wednesday when they team up with New Day in Race 5, a MR 72 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1600m on the Polytrack.

Her four starts so far have yielded two wins and two third places and she the manner in which she won last time will make her very hard to beat.

The Canford Cliffs-filly stepped up to 1400m on that occasion and tries even further this time, but it was clear in her last success that this longer distance should not trouble her.

All four starts have been on the Polytrack and Fourie has ridden her in all of them. He sent her clear shortly after entering the straight last time out and she came home 4.50 lengths clear of Saboteur.

Being well-drawn this time might allow Fourie to conserve her for a little while longer, but it will be a surprise if she is not good enough to see off these rivals as her eight-point penalty does not seem enough.

Dean Smith was thrust into his role as head trainer last year after the untimely passing of his father, Gavin. Despite the challenging circumstances, Dean took on the challenge with gusto and managed to keep up the family tradition.

Not only did he finish in second spot on the Eastern Cape log but ended up 11th on the national log. He should get the day off to a good start for bettors when he saddles well-bred Madra Rua in Race 1, a Maiden Plate over 1300m.

He is a gelded son of the mighty Frankel and out of the quality Run Fox Run, this now four-year-old proved a disappointment when trained in the Western Cape.

Madra Rua has had eight starts, all on the grass, with three top-three finishes and three fourth-place finishes.

The moved east and trying the Polytrack this time could see him break the ice after a change of trainer. Callan Murray takes the ride.

 

Jack Milner’s selections

Race 1: 1 Madra Rua, 3 Indestructable, 2 Twice A Queen, 4 Good Shine

Race 2: 5 Alleyah’s Rocket, 2 Among The Willows, 6 Coco Beach, 1 Queen Of Castille

Race 3: 1 Oncidium, 5 Potenza, 2 Augusta Rosso, 6 Alex Miller

Race 4: 2 Ingqwele, 4 Too Late My Mate, 5 Vila Vicosa, 1 Tenjiku

Race 5: 3 New Day, 5 Blue Palace, 6 Oh Mandy, 1 Woman In Gold

Race 6: 6 Night In Japan, 7 Preserve Forever, 5 Tori’s Girl, 1 Ocean Flame

Race 7: 2 Honorine’s Gimmie, 6 Mio Destino, 4 Real War, 5 Notorix

Race 8: 3 Rock Up, 1 Bumps Last Grind, 4 Truly Magical, 8 Wordsworth

 

BEST BET

Race 5: 3 New Day

VALUE BET

Race 8: 3 Rock Up

BEST SWINGER

Race 7 2×6

 

BIPOT

R54

Leg 1: 1

Leg 2: 2, 5, 6

Leg 3: 1, 2, 5

Leg 4: 2, 4

Leg 5: 3

Leg 6: 5, 6, 7

 

PLACE ACCUMULATOR

R216

Leg 1: 2, 5

Leg 2: 1, 2, 5

Leg 3: 2, 4

Leg 4: 3

Leg 5: 5, 6, 7

Leg 6: 2, 6

Leg 7: 1, 3, 4

 

PICK 6

R1440

Leg 1: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

Leg 2: 1, 2, 4, 5

Leg 3: 3

Leg 4: 1, 4, 6, 7

Leg 5: 2, 4, 6

Leg 6: 1, 2, 3, 4, 8

 

JACKPOT 1

R48

Leg 1: 1, 2, 4, 5

Leg 2: 3

Leg 3: 1, 4, 6, 7

Leg 4: 2, 4, 6

 

JACKPOT 2

R60

Leg 1: 3

Leg 2: 1, 4, 6, 7

Leg 3: 2, 4, 6

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