A Lucky strike for Zackey

Jack Milner

Bettors have been having a rough time of late and with holiday fever gripping the country many people are looking for a boost to their finances to help balance the budget.

Racing is on the Classic track at the Vaal on Tuesday and hopefully log-leading Craig Zackey and champion jockey Gavin Lerena can bring in some Christmas cheer.

Zackey returns from a short enforced but much appreciated break, and he could have the best bet on the card when he rides Manyeleti in Race 7, a MR 91 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1000m, for trainer Lucky Houdalakis.

This three-year-old daughter of Danon Platina has only raced twice but looks to be an exciting prospect. She made her debut on 4 November over 1000m at the Vaal and went off a 9-4 second favourite.

However, she made short shrift of her opposition and ran out a three-length winner with Zackey in the irons. While it was just a maiden victory closer scrutiny indicates it is quite a strong form line.

Seventh-placed Dondoyaki won her next start while second-placed Plumbago Park, although running second again in her next outing, came out to win thereafter. Third in that race was Varachino’s Champ who went on to place in her next two starts.

Manyeleti was sent off a 1-1 favourite to win her next start but it was around the turn on the Turffontein Inside track and she did play up at the start when it came to loading. She probably used up a lot of her energy and was run out of it close to finish 1.30 lengths behind Anchorage.

Back down the straight and with the extra experience, Manyeleti looks hard to oppose.

Jack Milner’s selections

Race 1: 1 Winds Of Grace, 4 Galaxy Queen, 3 Hubertus Hunt, 10 Shadowline

Race 2: 9 One Of Those Days, 10 Shoreybomba, 11 Babette's Feast, 7 Lance Alot

Race 3: 3 Sky Pillar Rock, 7 Pretty Analia, 4 Banha Bridge, 8 Casus Belli

Race 4: 1 Johnny Drama, 3 Father Christmas, 4 Lady Blunt, 6 Prince Of Kildare

Race 5: 9 Let's Go Lola, 8 Princess Ilaria, 3 Tina Lovelace, 1 That's My Baby

Race 6: 3 Saragossa Cat, 5 Open Sesame, 6 Fire In Her Soul, 1 Whirlybird

Race 7: 7 Manyeleti, 6 Roaming Spirit, 4 Green Flash, 11 Mystical Miss

Race 8: 8 Tempranillo, 5 Deal Maker, 9 Waiting On Charlie, 1 Season's Greetings

BEST BET

Race 7: 7 Manyeleti

VALUE BET

Race 4: 1 Johnny Drama

BEST SWINGER

Race 8 5x8

BIPOT                          

R384

Leg 1: 1, 4

Leg 2: 7, 9, 10, 11

Leg 3: 3, 4, 7

Leg 4: 1, 3, 4, 6

Leg 5: 8, 9

Leg 6: 3, 5

PLACE ACCUMULATOR

R144

Leg 1: 9, 10, 11

Leg 2: 3, 7

Leg 3: 1, 3, 4

Leg 4: 8, 9

Leg 5: 3, 5

Leg 6: 7

Leg 7: 5, 8

PICK 6

R1200

Leg 1: 2, 3, 4, 7, 8

Leg 2: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 9

Leg 3: 1, 3, 6, 8, 9

Leg 4: 3, 4, 5, 6

Leg 5: 7

Leg 6: 5, 8

JACKPOT 1

R120

Leg 1: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 9

Leg 2: 1, 3, 6, 8, 9

Leg 3: 3, 4, 5, 6

Leg 4: 7

JACKPOT 2

R40

Leg 1: 1, 3, 6, 8, 9

Leg 2: 3, 4, 5, 6

Leg 3: 7

Leg 4: 5, 8