Meryl to star in PE Gold Cup

Today, she will try to add the Cup to her impressive record.

Meryl has been a revelation since sent to Port Elizabeth and today she will attempt to add the Listed Port Elizabeth Gold Cup to her already impressive record at Fairview.

Since joining Alan Greeff’s yard in May last year, this fiveyear-old daughter of Tiger Ridge has run nine times for six wins one second and two thirds.

However, it was when Greeff opted to put her over distance that Meryl really started to excel.

Although carded to carry top weight of 60kg, Meryl is the best handicapped runner by at least 4kg and the only concern for her supporters is how she will handle the additional 800m.

There are two visitors from the Western Cape and the first is Troop The Colour, trained by Peter Wrensch. While this five-year-old son of Twice Over is not among the best handicapped runners he did finish a 1.20-length fourth behind Mercurana in the Listed Kenilworth Cup over 3200m.

He demonstrated his fitness with an impressive two-length victory over Holy Warrior over 1950m at Kenilworth last month.

He beat Candice Bass-Robinson-trained Celestial Prince and at the weights, should do so again.

Also run on the day is the Listed East Cape Paddock Stakes, Leg 2 of the East Cape Fillies over 1600m, and this looks a race between Madame Speaker and Elusive Heart.

They appear to be closely matched and Elusive Heart has a 1kg pull in the weights on handicap, but Madame Speaker could just have the edge over this distance.

Jack Milner’s selections

Race 1: 4 Colorado Springs, 8 Joyful Noise, 11 Showtime Baby, 1 Absolutely Fab

Race 2: 7 Stranger Danger, 4 Majorca Palace, 2 Lookout House, 8 Cana

Race 3: 7 Time Stands Still, 4 Zuberi, 3 Croisade De Verite, 1 Amazing Tune

Race 4: 8 Shine A Light (best Win bet), 3 Sweet Spring, 6 Princess Of Fire, 10 Summer Madness

Race 5: 0 Daichi, 4 Captain Anne Bonny, 3 Carioca, 5 Mendocino

Race 6: 1 Meryl, 5 Troop The Colour, 3 Celestial Prince, 8 Evolver

Race 7: 3 Madame Speaker, 1 Elusive Heart, 2 Dancing In Seattle, 4 Miss Smarty Pants

Race 8: 2 Still Tappin (best Win/Place bet), 3 Tawny Jet, 1 Princess Kalisi, 6 Purest Bliss

Race 9: 3 Scented Garden, 5 Twin Falls, 7 Travel In Style, 10 Don't Be Blue