Ottimo to claim the Mile

Ottimo enjoys racing in Port Elizabeth and opened his account with the Snaith yard with a 3.75-length victory at Arlington.

He went on to win another two races at Fairview. His last victory came on New Year’s Day this year at Kenilworth.

He has run two close-up seconds in his last two starts, both at Fairview over 1400m, and looks ready to win again.

This is a weight-for-age race, and although he does not come up as the best handicapped runner, he is well enough weighted to win.

Blaze Of Fire is a Port Elizabeth stalwart who has served the centre well.

He has performed with aplomb for two successive years in the Grade 1 Champions Cup at Greyville.

In 2013 he finished third behind Jackson while this year he finished just 4.85 lengths behind Futura, who won in course record time.

He won a week later at Fairview and returned to racing in October but finished unplaced in the Grade 3 Algoa Cup over 2000m.

Yvette Bremner’s charge is far better suited to a race of this nature and a good run is expected.

Red Barrel has improved enormously since fitted with blinkers and has won two of his three starts in that equipment.

His last start, which came after a four-month break, was over a distance too short so Red Barrel should give some cheek returning to 1600m. Raymond Danielson rides.