A summer cruise to the west
Jumping from pole position is a huge advantage on the Polytrack, especially over the sprint trips and Summer Cruise has been blessed with it in Race 2 on Friday at Fairview.
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The Sail From Seattle filly was reportedly not striding out in her latest so that run can probably be ignored and her from behind the much-improved Jo’s Bond reads very well in this line-up.
Jockey MJ Byleveld knows the filly well and if he is brave enough he could make all on her over this 1000m trip and win for visiting trainer Vaughan Marshall.
Being a Novice Plate there is another better weighted and that is the Yvette Bremner trained Witchery. This Judpot filly led for a long way on her first on this surface but that was over 1600m and she is unlikely to have the early speed of Summer Cruise. Witchery has a nice inside draw so she should be doing her best work late.
Trainer Alan Greeff has his yard in decent form and Natural Tan progressed to easily win her last start. The three-year-old quickened up nicely from off the pace on the turf.
However, this track and trip is likely to be on the sharp side for her. It is interesting jockey Greg Cheyne has been kept on her and jockey Teaque Gould remains on recent easy winner So Suspect.
This Argonaut filly showed a liking to the Polytrack and her new surroundings by smashing Classic Delight by 4.50 lengths.
The Dorrie Sham yard had a very good meeting earlier this week and they may have yet another winner with Marttita Ridge in Race 3, a Maiden Plate over 1200m.
This Tiger Ridge filly is making her debut for the yard but all she needs to do is to repeat her last run which saw finish runner-up at Greyville on this surface last month.
The Grant Paddock yard has recently stepped out a few recruits purchased out of other yards with some success and Prescient could be another shrewd purchase. This Count Dubois mare was running fairly well in Gauteng and could take to this track and take out Race 4.
It is worth noting leading jockey Andrew Fortune will be aboard.
Western Wu may not be as good on the Polytrack as he is on the turf but he does look the part to win Race 7, a MR 72 Handicap over 1600m. Cheyne should be able to keep the gelding handy from a good draw.
