Harvard Crimson looks best in Paddock Stakes

Runners from both Alan Greeff and Justin Snaith are out in full force at Fairview on Friday in the Listed East Cape Paddock Stakes over 1600m. There are 15 runners carded to go to post in this second leg of the Eastern Cape Fillies And Mares Challenge of which nine come from either the Greeff (six) and Snaith (three) yards.

Snaith could have the edge over Greeff this time as he saddles Sunset Tripp, Harvard Crimson and Cup Cake. The jockey arrangements suggest Harvard Crimson could be the right one as Richard Fourie has taken the ride aboard the four-year-old daughter of Dynasty. She has yet to race at Fairview but last time she finished a 4.55-length seventh behind Chevauchee in the Listed Ladies Mile over 1600m at Kenilworth and if the winner lined up in this race bookmakers would price her up deep in the red. Harvard Crimson is one of the best handicapped runners under the race conditions and as this will be her third run after a layoff she should be in peak condition for this run.

Sunset Tripp, with Aldo Domeyer in the irons, could follow her home. She ran a one-length third behind Clear Sailing in the Breeders Stakes and will be better over this distance.

Mike Bass has just one runner at this meeting so one has to respect the chances of Good Grace, even though she is not well handicapped. The fact Grant van Niekerk is making the trip to Port Elizabeth for the ride is very significant.

Purely Atomic could be the best of Greeff’s runners although stable jockey Andrew Fortune is aboard Bella Spumante, who is trying this distance for the first time.