Greeff, Snaith hold the aces in Derby

Runners from the stables of Alan Greeff and Justin Snaith dominate the field for today’s R350,000 World Sports Betting East Cape Derby (Grade 3) over 2400m at Fairview.

Greeff saddles four runners and Snaith three of the 13-strong field. However, very few runners in the line-up have proved they stay the distance.

With Andrew Fortune taking the ride on Welsh Emperor, the talented son of Go Deputy is likely to find lots of support and looks the leading contender for the local runners. He was very impressive when winning the Derby Plate over 2 000m last time when beating King Of Chaos by 1,75 lengths and should be able to see out the extra 400m.

The other runners from the Greeff yard are Rhumba Magic with Teaque Gould aboard, Love Everlasting to be ridden by Robert Khathi and the filly Badger Creek, with Charles Ndlovu in the irons.

Bernard Fayd’Herbe makes the trip Port Elizabeth to ride Elusive Silva who finished  fifth behind Marinesco in the Grade 3 Winter Guineas at Kenilworth.

While a maiden he finished a two-length third behind Black Arthur over 1 600m and clearly has the class to win a race of this nature. He has won over 2 000m at Kenilworth but this will be his first run at Fairview.

Snaith also saddles More Than Grand, who finished third behind Welsh Emperor in the Derby Plate, and Captain Splendid. He has two top apprentices on the pair with Callan Murray riding More Than Grand and Lyle Hewitson aboard Captain Splendid.

The best handicapped runner is Fly Like The Wind from the Renate du Plessis yard. The Windrush gelding ran fourth behind Marinesco in the Winter Guineas but could be held by Welsh Emperor when third in the East Cape Guineas behind Brilliant Crimson with Greeff’s runner 1,50 lengths ahead in second spot.

Dorrie Sham has her yard in fine fettle and they saddle King Of Chaos who will need to find a little more to reverse the placings with Welsh Emperor in the Derby Plate.

Also run on the day is the Listed Epol Dahlia Plate for two-year-olds over 1200m. Oomph has won both his starts with ease and appears to be something special. Greeff’s charge looks to be the best bet on the card.