Sir Duke to sail home

That old debate comparing merit ratings of the colts against the fillies comes up for discussion in the Listed East Cape Sprint Cup over 1200m at Fairview on Friday.

This is a stakes race which is at weight-for-age plus penalties and the fairer sex also get an allowance of 2.5kg. As a result six-year-old mare Clear Sailing comes into the race as the best handicapped runner.

It is always worth going back on the form to check whether a filly has raced against the colts and in the case of Clear Sailing, she has done so. She also did not disgrace herself in those events but has not won in a field of colts either.

What is daunting is that she comes from the Alan Greeff yard and that stable is in outstanding form right now. Greg Cheyne is back in action after his fall and is aboard the daughter of Argonaut.

Her record on the turf at Fairview has also been exemplary because other than her first start in Eastern Cape she is unbeaten in four runs on this course.

However, it could still pay to look at one of the boys and Sir Duke could be the runner to beat. Sadly, this six-year-old son of Trippi has not won since May last year but he has placed on numerous occasions. What is worth noting is that he runs best for Raymond Danielson who is back aboard.

Sir Duke has raced five times over the course and distance for one win, three seconds and a fourth.

Thayer came back to form last time with an emphatic win but the weight turnaround under the race conditions do not favour him at all.

Others with chances are Normanz, Cuban Emerald, Kingvoldt and Tar Heel, who makes his PE debut for Tara Laing.

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