Jack Milner
Paul Peter has had remarkable success over the last year and it culminated with a victory in the Grade 3 Marshall’s World Of Sport Gold Cup over 3200m at Greyville last Saturday.
Despite this race having lost its Grade 1 status over the years, it is still viewed by racing pundits as the country’s most important race for stayers.
Peter had earmarked this race for Shangani many months back and was delighted when the plan came together.
Now he has another stayer in his yard and he could be aimed at next year’s Gold Cup.
Lamborghreeni was looking for distance from his first run, even finding 2000m too sharp. But once put over 2400m coupled with the addition of blinkers, he was a different horse and quickly reeled off three successive victories over 2400m and 2600m.
The Gimmethegreenlight gelding has had two successive clashes with five-year-old mare Flying First Class and the two look set to do battle for the third successive time in Race 5 at Turffontein on Saturday, a Middle Stakes over 2400m on the Standside track.
Two runs back it was Lamborghreeni who took the honours, with Flying First Class in third place, beaten 1.35 lengths.
They met again 11 days later and on this occasion the David Nieuwenhuizen-trained runner was 5.5kg better off and this time she was able to turn the tables, beating Lamborghreeni into second place by 1.50 lengths.
When they meet this time it will be at the same weight differential as last time so on paper, at least, Flying First Class should confirm the form.
However, the last two starts were both over 2600m on the Inside track and this time it will be over 200m less on the Standside course, which is a far more galloping track. It has the longer run-in and suits runners with stamina.
In fact, Lamborghreeni’s first win was over this course and distance and he won it by four lengths.
There is also a change in jockeys because as newly installed Champion Jockey Warren Kennedy will soon be flying off to ride in New Zealand, Muzi Yeni has picked up the ride. He is a superb judge of pace and he could probably ride the race blindfolded as he knows the track so well.
In addition, as Lamborghreeni is a natural front runner, he will not be depending on the pace as he is likely to go out there and set the speed that suits him.
Another runner that comes into the reckoning is Raiseahallelujah who has performed very well since arriving at Candice Dawson’s yard.
He has run twice over 2400m, once at Greyville when he won the race but was disqualified and the second at this course where he finished a one-length second behind talented Black Thorn.
The Querari gelding has to give 8kg to Lamborghreeni and 6.5kg to Flying First Class which will not be an easy task but he has raced against stronger and does need to be included in all bets.
Jack Milner’s selections
Race 1: 5 Twice The Storm, 6 Burgess, 4 Northern Tune, 10 Volte Face
Race 2: 4 Gregarious Gal, 6 Inner Sense, 7 Misava, 1 Queen Theodora
Race 3: 1 Big Guy, 3 Atlantic City, 4 Flag Bearer, 8 Treaty
Race 4: 4 Castle Durrow, 3 Greek Miss, 1 Franklin, 5 Crusade To Royalty
Race 5: 4 Lamborghreeni, 3 Flying First Class, 2 Raiseahallelujah, 5 Arlington Action
Race 6: 7 Youcanthurrylove, 3 Green Haze, 6 Sudden Star, 5 Ocean Warrior
Race 7: 3 Roha, 7 Special Variety, 1 Mill Queen, 6 Rosaprima
Race 8: 4 Princess Philippa, 10 Bella Rosa, 1 Mamaquera, 6 Silvery Blue
Race 9: 12 Roger The Dodger, 6 Integrate, 2 Ridge To Reef, 1 Frontline Fighter
BEST BET
Race 2 No 4 Gregarious Girl
VALUE BET
Race 8 No 4 Princess Philippa
BEST SWINGER
Race 7 3x7
BIPOT
R162
Leg 1: 4
Leg 2: 1, 3, 4
Leg 3: 1, 3, 4
Leg 4: 2, 3, 4
Leg 5: 3, 6, 7
Leg 6: 3, 7
PLACE ACCUMULATOR
R162
Leg 1: 1, 3, 4
Leg 2: 1, 3, 4
Leg 3: 4
Leg 4: 7
Leg 5: 3, 7
Leg 6: 1, 4, 10
Leg 7: 2, 6, 12
PICK 6
R1920
Leg 1: 1, 3, 4, 5
Leg 2: 2, 3, 4, 5
Leg 3: 3, 6, 7
Leg 4: 3, 7
Leg 5: 1, 4, 6, 10
Leg 6: 1, 2, 4, 6, 12
JACKPOT 1
R96
Leg 1: 2, 3, 4, 5
Leg 2: 3, 6, 7
Leg 3: 3, 7
Leg 4: 1, 4, 6, 10
JACKPOT 2
R120
Leg 1: 3, 6, 7
Leg 2: 3, 7
Leg 3: 1, 4, 6, 10
Leg 4: 1, 2, 4, 6, 12