A blue sky for Soma, S’manga

Jack Milner

Trainer Joe Soma and jockey S’manga Khumalo have had quite a lot of success over the years, one of their best victories coming in the 2012 Summer Cup when they joined forces to win the Grade 1 race with Wagner.

Khumalo does not ride that often for Soma these days but when he does, they are generally strong contenders. Their recent record is striking – 12 runners, one win and six places.

The were due to be  teamed up with four runners on the Standside track at Turffontein on Tuesday but two have been withdrawn. 

The withdrawals come up in Races 1 and 2 with  Back In Business and Winter Muse respectively.

Bellevarde will hold no surprises for Khumalo as he hopped aboard for the first time in her last outing, and after racing over 1800m on the Vaal Classic track was led into the winner’s enclosure.

That victory came as no surprise as she was well supported to go off favourite at 28-10. She was penalised 2kg for that success but when she lines up in Race 6 on Tuesday, a MR 84 Handicap for fillies and mares over 2000m, the daughter of Master Of My Fate will be dropping in class.

That class drop coupled with the 2kg penalty will see her carrying 61kg, 5kg more than last time. She will also be going 2000m for the first time but the dominant manner of her victory over 1800m last time makes one feel she will have no issue with the additional 200m.

She will be giving 9kg to three-year-old Namaqua Blossom which could be a tough ask, but Lucky Houdalakis’ charge will be taking quite a jump up in class and still has to prove herself, although she does have in-form JP van der Merwe in the irons.

Soma has a most interesting runner in Race 9, a MR 75 Handicap for fillies and mares over 400m, where he sends out Que Ceu Azul. This Querari filly has only raced four times, winning her penultimate start, which came after a rest.

She may have finished unplaced last time, but while some people might feel it was a disappointing effort, she did take on some top three-year-old fillies in the Grade 3 Fillies Mile. That she was beaten eight lengths by Emirate Gina is certainly no disgrace, especially if one considers that not far ahead of her were favourite Bonete, Bless My Stars and River Queraress.

The average merit rating of that race was 94 while this time it is 70.

In addition, she has been fitted with a set of blinkers, will run over 200m less and will have Khumalo in the irons for the first time.

For the record, the name Que Ceu Azul is Portuguese for “what a blue sky”, which could be forecasting a sunny day for Soma and Khumalo at Turffontein.

Jack Milner’s selections

Race 1: 1 Iron Sky, 2 Wind Water, 13 National Star, 10 Fish Eagle

Race 2: 10 Heart Of Eternity, 1 Splendid Season, 3 Tiz Magic

Race 3: 2 Fly Isabella Fly, 1 Pinch Hit, 5 Covert Operator, 4 Laetitia's Angel

Race 4: 8 Kotinos, 1 Admire Me, 4 Flashy Apache, 5 Kaptein

Race 5: 2 Arlington Action, 9 Chasing Mavericks, 3 Little Prince

Race 6: 1 Bellevarde, 6 Namaqua Blossom, 4 Light Of Day, 7 Special Charm

Race 7: 3 Trident King, 9 Timbavati River, 10 Just Be Nice, 8 Robert Burns

Race 8: 10 Queen Of Smoke, 8 Golden Aspen, 5 Unconditional Love, 2 Mike's Chick

Race 9: 3 Que Ceu Azul, 1 Whatyouwaitingfor, 2 Prairie Falcon, 4 Mamaquera

BEST BET

Race 2 No 10 Heart Of Eternity

VALUE BET

Race 9 No 3 Que Ceu Azul

BEST SWINGER

Race 2 1x10

BIPOT

R162

Leg 1: 10

Leg 2: 1, 2

Leg 3: 1, 4, 8

Leg 4: 2, 3, 9

Leg 5: 1, 4, 6

Leg 6: 3, 9, 10

PLACE ACCUMULATOR

R216

Leg 1: 2

Leg 2: 1, 4, 8

Leg 3: 2, 3, 9

Leg 4: 1, 6

Leg 5: 3, 9, 10

Leg 6: 8, 10

Leg 7: 1, 3

PICK 6

R1620

Leg 1: 1, 3, 4, 5, 8

Leg 2: 2, 3, 9

Leg 3: 1, 4, 6

Leg 4: 3, 8, 9, 10

Leg 5: 5, 8, 10

Leg 6: 1, 2, 3

JACKPOT 1

R108

Leg 1: 2, 3, 9

Leg 2: 1, 4, 6

Leg 3: 3, 8, 9, 10

Leg 4: 5, 8, 10

JACKPOT 2

R108

Leg 1: 1, 4, 6

Leg 2: 3, 8, 9, 10

Leg 3: 5, 8, 10

Leg 4: 1, 2, 3