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First Wish is the One

 

Henk Steenkamp

The potent combination of trainer Alan Greeff and jockey Richard Fourie are ready to bag yet another Fairview feature.

They combine with the three-year-old Master of my Fate filly First Wish in the R150 000 Non-Black Type Wedgewood Handicap for fillies and mares over 2400m.

This is race eight on the card of nine races, off at two minutes before four, on Friday afternoon at the turf track.

First Wish ran a decent last race when placed third in the Listed WSB East Cape Derby.

Back against her own sex, and over the same distance, she looks like the horse to beat.

Greenlitealltheway (Glen Kotzen) is one to keep an eye on in the small field of seven runners.

She did not produce her best in the Listed East Cape Oaks which was on the poly surface.

Her form before that was decent and she should enjoy the step up in distance. Malesela Katjedi takes the ride and with a nice galloping mass of 52kgs, Greenlitealltheway looks the biggest danger to the favourite.

Woman’s World (Kelly Mitchley) was the runner up in last year’s race. If she puts her best foot forward she will be in the mix again.

The Tab 4Racing App Pinnacle Stakes, race seven at 15:20, could steal the feature race thunder.

Two Grade 1 Hollywoodbets Durban July nominations from the Greeff stable, My Best Shot and Joy And Peace, will be in action in this event over 2000m.

My Best Shot was an impressive winner of the EC Derby and the son of Fire Away should make it career victory number 10 in his 16th start.

The 2024 EC Derby winner Joy And Peace is a good backup for the Greeff yard. She is the best weighted horse in the race and unbeaten from two starts over track and trip.

Zatara Magic (Smith) easily won his last start over track and trip. He will be ready to put up a fight.

With nine races on the card we start a bit earlier than usual. The first race is at 11:45 and the Bipot starts with the second race at 12:25.

Articuno (Greeff) is unlikely to miss the first three in the first leg of the Place Accumulator, race 3 at 13:00.

Pick Six players get involved from the fourth race at 13:35. My Best Shot and First Wish will be popular bankers.

Son Of Myself (race 4) and Igugulethu (race 6) are two huge runners from the Smith stable. They will also have many supporters on the day.

With some bankers to structure your bets around, punters should, as always, give it a go!

 

This article was originally published on TAB and is reposted here with permission.

Henk Steenkamp is a seasoned sports journalist based in Gqeberha, with over 40 years of experience covering rugby, cricket, and horse racing. A true expert on racing at Fairview in the Eastern Cape, Henk is a regular presence at this venue, rarely missing a meeting. He has been a judge for the East Cape Racing Awards since 2007 and served as the convenor of the panel since 2021. Known for his sharp insights, Henk has won numerous horse racing tipping competitions, famously under the alias "Henk Se Wenk." A former Media24 Sports and Racing Editor, he now contributes weekly columns on racing and school sports for community publications. With a passion for watching sport live or on television, his favourite bet remains the Place Accumulator - at Fairview of course!

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