Jack Milner
Keagan de Melo is riding at the top of his game right now and has already produced 60 winners this season and was 13 clear of Muzi Yeni.
However, even he would have to admit that his ride on Dawnofanewday last time would not see him claim the ride-of-the-month award. Things do not always go your way in every race and they certainly did not go his way on that occasion.
The Dean Kannemeyer-trained filly was hampered at a crucial stage and only got going late and missed out on troubling eventual winner Shape Of You.
But it is another day, another race, and De Melo should be able to make amends in Race 6 on the Polytrack at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Monday, a MR 87 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1600m.
She meets the Shape Of You on 1.5kg better weight conditions for a 0.90-length beating, has drawn better than in that last race in barrier No 3, and may prove to be one of the standout bets on the day, and will appeal as a banker in all exotic bets.
There are two main reasons why a runner stands out as a banker. The first is that he or she is a top horse on the up and is clearly going places, and the second is that while the runner “is not going to Hollywood” the trainer has found the perfect field for their charge to rack up a win.
That second looks to be the case with Pirate Prince who lines up in Race 3, a Maiden Plate over 1800m. Trainer Alyson Wright has found the perfect event for the three-year-old Maser Of My Fate gelding. The opposition is decidedly weak, and her charge has by far the best form in the race.
He is distance suited, likes the Polytrack and jumps from barrier No 1. The one concern is that he has lost ground in his last two starts and ended up too far back but even if he does blow the start on this occasion, De Melo, who rides him for the first time, should be able to remain competitive in this line-up.
Garth Puller-trained Vihaan’s Grey is rated two-points higher and does look the main threat but he will jump from barrier No 9 and did over-race in his last start.
Sea Of Tears, who runs in Race 2, is another who could have found the ideal race. This Paul Gadsby-trained filly has finished second or third in her last four starts and races in a Maiden Handicap over 1200m.
Although she carries top weight of 60kg, the three-year-old Crusade filly has run against a lot better than she meets on this occasion, which is borne out by her 1.70-length second to Lady Heist, who went on to win again in her next start.
Muzi Yeni rode her on that occasion and he will be back in the irons for this race.
Buster Keaton (Race 1) and Royal Kitty (Race 7) both ran forward races last time and could also be added.
Royal Kitty has been a bit costly to follow, but she travelled so well that her rider rode her with cool hands last time and she could now start adding a few wins to her tally.
Jack Milner’s selections
Race 1: 8 Buster Keaton, 6 Double Silver, 1 Saka Gold, 7 Captains Walk
Race 2: 5 Sea Of Tears, 3 Whispering Green, 1 Royal Oasis, 8 Declare War
Race 3: 1 Pirate Prince, 9 Vihaan's Grey, 3 Afropolitan, 4 Lombard Street
Race 4: 4 Vision Of Will, 8 Magicallee, 2 Princess Santo, 3 Dunyaa
Race 5: 8 One Too Many, 3 Hooves Of Troy, 2 Valiente, 4 Iron Bark
Race 6: 3 Dawnofanewday, 1 Shape Of You, 5 Let's Not Linger, 2 Chanty Lane
Race 7: 4 Royal Kitty, 8 Bell Starbuster, 6 Let It Snow, 1 Forged In Ice
Race 8: 5 Wave Warrior, 9 Galabier, 2 Manhatten Cafe, 3 Brandenburg
BEST BET
Race 3 No 1 Pirate Prince
VALUE BET
Race 8 No 5 Wave Warrior
BEST SWINGER
Race 6 1x3
BIPOT
R144
Leg 1: 1, 6, 8
Leg 2: 1, 3, 5
Leg 3: 1
Leg 4: 2, 3, 4, 8
Leg 5: 2, 3, 4, 8
Leg 6: 3
PLACE ACCUMULATOR
R243
Leg 1: 1, 3, 5
Leg 2: 1
Leg 3: 2, 4, 8
Leg 4: 2, 3, 8
Leg 5: 3
Leg 6: 4, 6, 8
Leg 7: 2, 5, 9
PICK 6
R1920
Leg 1: 1
Leg 2: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Leg 3: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Leg 4: 3
Leg 5: 1, 2, 4, 6, 8
Leg 6: 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9
JACKPOT 1
R320
Leg 1: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Leg 2: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Leg 3: 3
Leg 4: 1, 2, 4, 6, 8
JACKPOT 2
R240
Leg 1: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Leg 2: 3
Leg 3: 1, 2, 4, 6, 8
Leg 4: 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9