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New Paper
4 days ago
- Sport
- New Paper
June 6 South Africa (Fairview) form analysis
Race 1 (1,200m) An interesting start to the day. (2) CASINO KING has made the trip from the Western Cape. He should be a big player in this race. (11) YOU'RE SO SPECIAL showed promise on her debut and she should be winning her first race soon enough. Keep an eye on the betting as there are newcomers that are well bred. (9) STAR OF ELENA has run well in all three of her starts and can fight out the finish. (1) BUFFALO BILL looks all right among the first timers. Keep safe. Race 2 (1,000m) (6) NORTH STAR is an Erik The Red filly and she may well be ready to score on debut. (3) HAZE AND SMOKE is a Potala Palace filly who represents a trainer who can win on debut. (4) IVY showed improvement with blinkers on last time and is probably the best of the raced runners. (2) FOCAL POINT can be included in the exotics. Race 3 (1,000m) (3) ARTICUNO is knocking hard at the door and looks ready to score. (4) INDEBE MAYIBUYE is improving and can score again. (1) BASINGSTOKE needed her run on the Polytrack and should strip fitter this time and could surprise. (2) SWEETIE DARLING is not reliable but she is also not out of it. Race 4 (1,200m) (3) SONG OF MYSELF has had only five starts and she ran some promising races in the Western Cape. She sets the standard on her local debut. (1) ABOUND is better than his last run would suggest and is distance-suited, so should be included in all bets. (2) MASKED VIGILANTE is probably at his very best on the Polytrack but is also capable of winning on the turf. (9) GUARDING THE WALL is not reliabe but does also have a winning chance. Race 5 (1,400m) (2) MIDNIGHT MUSIC is improving and could go one better. (3) UMZOLOZOLO makes her local debut and should contest the finish. (7) PENNY'S WORLD is not out of this. (8) DANCING IN WINTER is in good form and can make the frame again. Race 6 (1,400m) (5) IGUGULETHU has won his last two starts but goes up in the weights. (6) FINAL TRY ran well on local debut and should be very competitive this time. (10) RUN THE WORLD showed some improvement last time and should have something to offer, having made the trip from Cape Town. (4) ONE SCOTCH makes his local debut and can surprise. Race 7 (2,000m) (1) MY BEST SHOT continues his impressive winning streak. He was a facile winner of the East Cape Derby last time and can win again. He is, however, out at the weights with his stable companion, (3) JOY AND PEACE. That filly won last year's East Cape Derby, so it is an interesting class. Joy And Peace seemed to find the distance too far for her last time and is at her very best around this distance. (2) ZATARA MAGIC is at the top of his game and will not go down without a fight. (5) GLOBAL ALLY is consistent and can earn some more money. Race 8 (2,400m) (4) FIRST WISH had stable companion (3) LOTUS ISLAND behind her when they met in the East Cape Derby and that form does look the pick of the race. First Wish has got better with each increase in distance and she should score. (6) GREENLITEALLTHEWAY will appreciate it back on the grass and could be a danger trying this longer distance. (2) WOMAN'S WORLD has not been at her best of late but could threaten if left alone up front. Race 9 (1,600m) (2) LADY SILVANO is probably at her very best over further but gets a narrow vote to score. (1) LUNA HALO has let her supporters down lately but could bounce back to win over a course and distance that suits her. (5) HONORABLE MEMBER found the distance a bit much last time and should be a threat to these rivals. (9) GRANDIOSA boasts two wins over the trip and should improve second-up.
The Herald
05-05-2025
- Sport
- The Herald
My Best Shot aims for historic Sophomore Series clean sweep at Fairview
My Best Shot is a rising local champion. His consistent performances at Fairview have made him a fan favourite, and a win in the East Cape Derby would be a significant achievement for his connections and the region. A half-brother to the Eastern Cape's 2022/23 Champion two-year-old colt, Questor, My Best Shot races in the interests of Nick and Val McFall, Messrs GL Blank, G Piha, HN Yutar, D Yutar, and Mr and Mrs AC Greeff . He was purchased for just R120,000 at the Cape Yearling Sale and has provided his connections an enormous amount of fun. 'He's a progressive type with a strong temperament and a good work ethic,' says Greeff. 'He's taken every step in his stride, and we've been pleased with how he's handled each race.' Much of the credit must also go to jockey Richard Fourie, who has partnered with My Best Shot in all but one of his career runs. However, the 2,400m distance of the East Cape Derby is a significant step into uncharted territory. To date, all of My Best Shot's wins have come over either 1,400m or 1,600m. Whether he can stay the testing Derby trip remains to be seen, but his connections are optimistic. 'It's a challenge,' Greeff acknowledges. 'But he's in good shape and we're going to give him every chance.' Should he complete the series sweep, My Best Shot will enter the record books and highlight the value of structured regional racing programmes like the Sophomore Challenge in helping the Eastern Cape to produce competitive and consistent performers. The Derby meeting on May 9, which also features the Dahlia Plate, promises to be one of the highlights of the local horse racing calendar. Public entrance to Fairview Racecourse is free, but if you want to experience the excitement in style, book a VIP hospitality package with 4 Racing. Priced at R350 per person, it includes a buffet lunch, Computaform guide, and a complimentary bottle of wine per table. For more information or to book, email Marilyn Smith at marilyns@ or contact her on WhatsApp at 076 301 5449. This article was sponsored by 4 Racing.
