Jack Milner
Hopefully the nine-race card on the Inside track at Turffontein on Monday goes ahead after having been delayed from Saturday as there is some interesting racing. However, the Inside track, on which races will be run, is still likely to be on the soft side so bettors will be advised to look for runners who have form in the wet.
Craig Zackey, who is embroiled in a three-way tussle with Richard Fourie and Gavin Lerena for the National Jockeys’ Championship, has moved into the lead and gained most from the meeting at the Vaal as he rode both winners before the meeting was called off.
He can get bettors off to the perfect start on Monday when he rides Back From War for trainer Paul Matchett in Race 1, a Maiden Juvenile Plate for fillies over 1450m.
This Act Of War filly had legitimate excuses for a disappointing last start over 1000m which was in the Listed Ruffian Stakes, but the step up to an extended trip will suit Matchett’s charge who will also benefit from dropping back into maiden company.
Zackey should find the target again in Race 3, a Maiden Plate for fillies and mares over 1200m, on Sean Tarry-trained Trail Runner, a daughter of Lancaster Bomber. This improving three-year-old filly has finished third in consecutive starts over 1400m and 1160m on the Standside track and any improvement from Tarry’s charge in just her fourth career outing will likely land her and Zackey in the winners’ enclosure.
One of the most competitive races on the card comes up in Race 5, a Graduation Plate for fillies and mares over 1450m.
Punters could find some value in this event and that could lie with Mike and Mathew De Kock-trained Calantha.
The four-year-old daughter of Querari disappointed last time when she contested the Grade 3 Sycamore Sprint over 1160m on the Standside track.
She probably found the distance a touch too sharp and she should benefit from both the increased trip and the drop in class. The average merit rating of the Sycamore Sprint was 97 while for this race it is 87.
This will be her first race on the inside track but that should not be a concern.
Best weighted runner is Robyn Klaasen-trained Frozen Fantasy. The daughter of Potala Palace won a good race last time out over 1200m and she could be even better over this trip. She also has a good record at this course and will be ridden by Kabelo Matsunyane.
S’manga Khumalo rides Tony Peter-trained Scars Of War for the first time, the same course and distance over which she shed her maiden tag by 9.25 lengths last season.
This daughter of Heavenly Blue has not been seen since running in the Grade 1 Thekwini Stakes at Hollywoodbets Greyville at the end of July last year behind Quid Pro Quo. However, she is weighted to be competitive on her reappearance and Peter’s decision to book Khumalo for the ride is encouraging for her chances.
Jack Milner’s selections
Race 1: 1 Back From War, 2 Concordia, 8 Witching Hour, 4 Japanese Garden
Race 2: 3 Curtiss Condor, 1 Old Fashioned, 6 Misty Metal, 4 Miss Takes
Race 3: 2 Trail Runner, 7 Bright And Brazen, 6 Blindfire, 1 On A Jet Plane
Race 4: 1 Aristotle, 3 Royal Force, 2 Gimmeanotherchance, 4 The Africa House
Race 5: 4 Calantha, 1 Frozen Fantasy, 5 Scars Of War, 2 Pointer
Race 6: 1 Key News, 3 Plus Four, 6 Theres A Light, 4 Corrupt
Race 7: 4 King’s Express, 1 La Moohal, 11 Kudzu, 2 Flashy Apache
Race 8: 2 Dance King, 3 DJ Junior, 6 Dark Silver, 9 Gamer
Race 9: 3 Gregarious, 1 Exceedingly Glam, 4 One Party, 9 Oriental Bouquet
BEST BET
Race 2 No 3 Curtiss Condor
VALUE BET
Race 5 No 4 Calantha
BEST SWINGER
Race 2 1×3
BIPOT
R144
Leg 1: 3
Leg 2: 2, 6, 7
Leg 3: 1
Leg 4: 1, 2, 4, 5
Leg 5: 1, 3, 6
Leg 6: 1, 2, 4, 11
PLACE ACCUMULATOR
R324
Leg 1: 2, 6, 7
Leg 2: 1
Leg 3: 1, 4, 5
Leg 4: 1, 3, 6
Leg 5: 1, 4, 11
Leg 6: 2, 3
Leg 7: 1, 3
PICK 6
R1680
Leg 1: 1
Leg 2: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Leg 3: 1, 3, 6
Leg 4: 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 9, 11
Leg 5: 2, 3, 6, 9
Leg 6: 1, 3, 4, 9
JACKPOT 1
R420
Leg 1: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Leg 2: 1, 3, 6
Leg 3: 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 9, 11
Leg 4: 2, 3, 6, 9
JACKPOT 2
R336
Leg 1: 1, 3, 6
Leg 2: 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 9, 11
Leg 3: 2, 3, 6, 9
Leg 4: 1, 3, 4, 9
This article was originally published on TAB and is reposted here with permission.
