Best Bets And Tips: Fairview, Turffontein & Greyville Polytrack

Another weekend of exciting racing is upon us with three blockbuster meetings to look forward over the course of Friday to Sunday. The action begins at Fairview before we head off to Johannesburg on Saturday and then to Greyville to conclude the weekend’s racing. As always, here are our best bets and tips:

Fairview – (Friday)

Race 3 – Rafiki

There was plenty of betting support in the market for Rafiki on debut back in Cape Town, but he proved to be a bit too green on the day and finished runner-up. That was in a Work Riders race, and now with top jockey Aldo Domeyer on board, the 2-year-old gelding should be much more competitive. The manner in which he stayed on last time suggests he could enjoy the extra 100m.

Race 7 – Flower of Saigon

It’s hard to look past the well-fancied Flower of Saigon in the PE Gold Cup. The 4-year-old daughter of Flower Alley has been to the course just twice, winning once and finishing second from two starts. Ryan Munger jumps aboard for the Glen Kotzen stable and should go close. She’s carrying just 53kgs and will come on from an inside draw of barrier 3, so the odds are certainly stacked in her favour.

Turffontein – (Saturday)

Race 2 – Tabby Cat

Tabby Kat looked much better suited to the Turffontein track as opposed to running at the Vaal, finishing second in her last start. She also tried to step up in a trip to a mile compared to her first two races, which were both sprints. On that day, she was drawn the widest of all and now competes from barrier draw 1. S’manga Khumalo is a jockey to follow of late and could bring this filly home into the winner’s enclosure.

Race 3 – Lamborghreeni

All eyes will be on Lamborghreeni who looks for a fourth consecutive victory after coming off a hat-trick last time out. The 3-year-old son of Gimmethegreenlight has won half of the races he has run in and should take the power of beating. Warren Kennedy teams up with Paul Peter and looks to keep his 100% record intact over this course and distance. With just 50kgs on his back, he looks like a top bet.

Race 5 – Castletown

All signs point to Castletown in this race. The 3-year-old son of Silvano is in impressive form, winning two of his last three races. He is yet to win over 1600m, but the manner in which he stayed on in his last three outings says that he should relish a mile this time around. Kabelo Matsunyane, who rode him to victory the last two times he’s been aboard, sits on the saddle again and should make the Stuart Pettigrew yard very happy.

Race 7 – Mathis

Mathis returns to the track after a 30-week break after trouncing his rivals on debut back in December last year, winning by 4 lengths. He found plenty of betting support on the day and if not in need of the run once again, he should be right there. Warren Kennedy retains the ride and should be able to get the best out of this stunning 3-year-old colt from the Paul Peter stable.

Greyville Polytrack – (Sunday)

Race 2 – Ready Or Not

Ready Or Not tops the Computa Form rating in this race and could offer some value for punters. He finished quite far behind Cousin Casey on Gold Challenge day in the Cell C Gatecrasher Stakes, but a number of horses have come out to frank the form from that race. In-form jockey Keagan De Melo rides for Dean Kannemeyer and could come out of the maidens at the third time of asking.

Race 6 – Silver Falcon

Silver Falcon, from the Justin Snaith yard, tries the polytrack for the first time in his career here. He finished third amongst some decent company last time out and now gets the services of Richard Fourie on board. This 3-year-old gelding has improved in each run since going to KwaZulu-Natal and should find enough to win this race.