Jack Milner
The newly refurbished Polytrack at Hollywoodbets Greyville received accolades from jockeys and trainers alike and it seemed to be a much fairer track than its predecessor.
While it is not a particularly easy card, Wednesday’s nine-race programme features some interesting racing.
It was good to see Alyson Wright-trained National Dream come back to form last time after having lost form, but the surprise is that it came on the turf.
There was a time when the Rafeef-gelding dominated on the Polytrack so a win on the turf came as a bit of a surprised.
National Dream now looks primed to shine on the new Polytrack on Wednesday when he lines up in Race 4, a Class 4 Handicap over 2000m.
He is one of those rare specimens who can win from off the pace on the poly and after seeing how well back markers fared last week, this course should suit her style of racing.
It was quite amazing to see National Dream produce a fluent early burst of speed to win for the first time on turf when giving the runner-up Future Saint 3kg and third-placed Sweeter Than Honey 6kg. His merit rating has gone up six points (3kg) but Wright has made his task easier by employing the services of Nirvan Nastili who claims 2.5kg.
He is drawn slightly wide, but over 2000m that should not make too much of an issue.
Another form choice on the day is Malshana Mou, who lines up in Race 2, a Maiden Juvenile Plate for fillies over 1400m Noodsberg.
Malshana Mou is trained by Tienie Prinsloo, who already has a big win for the season when Quickstepgal won the Grade 3 Strelitzia Stakes.
Malshana Mou is also by leading stallion Rafeef. She was beaten 0.60-lengths by Willow Gem over 1200m second time out when bumped at the start. Last time she dropped in distance and got going too late when beaten 0.30-lengths by odds on favourite Captain’s Pride.
She has drawn well in gate No 2 and on running style and should enjoy 1400m on the poly.
S’manga Khumalo takes the ride.
Jack Milner’s selections
Race 1: 2 Star In Motion, 3 That’ll B The Day, 7 Count Of Rouen, 6 George’s Magic
Race 2: 3 Malshana Mou, 2 Kali Bwana, 4 Aurelian, 1 Scandalize
Race 3: 1 Noodsberg, 5 Dawn Surprise, 3 English Primrose, 4 Sky Velocity
Race 4: 7 National Dream, 5 Storm Ahead, 1 King Bavarian, 2 Basie Raakvat
Race 5: 4 Sparkling Jubilee, 3 Viva De Janeiro, 1 Dancing On A Cloud, 11 Faire Advantage
Race 6: 9 Among The Clouds, 4 The Mightiest, 3 Fireburst, 1 Greenhouse
Race 7: 7 Thisiswhatitmeans, 5 Rich Folks Hoax, 6 Quandary, 3 Blue Holly
Race 8: 9 There She Goes, 1 Cotton Ron, 10 Purple Powahouse, 4 Hippocrates
Race 9: 3 Icy Eleanor, 5 Happy Analia, 8 Diyarani, 9 Rugger Lover
BEST BET
Race 1: 2 Star In Motion
VALUE BET
Race 7: 7 Thisiswhatitmeans
BEST SWINGER
Race 1 2×3
BIPOT
R54
Leg 1: 2
Leg 2: 1, 3, 5
Leg 3: 7
Leg 4: 1, 3, 4
Leg 5: 4, 9
Leg 6: 5, 6, 7
PLACE ACCUMULATOR
R324
Leg 1: 1, 5
Leg 2: 7
Leg 3: 1, 3, 4
Leg 4: 4, 9
Leg 5: 5, 6, 7
Leg 6: 1, 9, 10
Leg 7: 3, 5, 8
PICK 6
R1200
Leg 1: 7
Leg 2: 1, 3, 4, 11
Leg 3: 1, 3, 4, 5, 9
Leg 4: 2, 3, 5, 6, 7
Leg 5: 1, 9, 10
Leg 6: 3, 5, 8, 9
JACKPOT 1
R300
Leg 1: 1, 3, 4, 11
Leg 2: 1, 3, 4, 5, 9
Leg 3: 2, 3, 5, 6, 7
Leg 4: 1, 9, 10
JACKPOT 2
R300
Leg 1: 1, 3, 4, 5, 9
Leg 2: 2, 3, 5, 6, 7
Leg 3: 1, 9, 10
Leg 4: 3, 5, 8, 9
This article was originally published on TAB and is reposted here with permission.
