A venerable bet at Greyville

Jack Milner

 Bettors can have some early success at Hollywoodbets Greyville today where Venerable looks the runner to beat in Race 1, a Maiden Plate over 1200m on the Polytrack.

This Gavin van Zyl-trained runner was second to promising Money Heist last time and it was a creditable run as he had to overcome a wide draw, as did the winner, and had some useful prospects just behind him.

He also has two other factors strongly in his favour. The first is that both times he has been fitted with a set of blinkers he has run well, finishing runner-up on both occasions, and secondly, he ran a cracker in his lone race on the Polytrack.

S’manga Khumalo rode him last time and will be back on board the Silvano gelding again.

The main threat looks to be American Dream, who although losing his way after a rest, his third start stands out. Phaka Imali, Parmenion and Captain Casey who finished behind him in that order, all recently opened their accounts, while winner Metallic Gold, threatened in a handicap and then went on to bag one.

American Dream was not disgraced in earlier runs either and although untried on the surface, has shown the pace needed to succeed the Polytrack.

Regarding his last two starts, he may just have needed those runs after gelding. American Dream will be having his first run for trainer Glen Kotzen, who is churning out winners currently, and also enjoys a slight draw advantage over Venerable.

Exactas with the two chief protagonists are worth taking.

After an impressive win Ethiopian Queen has been priced up at 22-10 to follow up in Race 2, a MR 74 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1000m.

She is the one to beat.

Her form appears patchy because most of her run have been over 1200m but closer analysis indicates that she is unbeaten in two runs over the 1000m on this course.

While Aga Heat, Bonne Bouche and Faaeezahs Princess all look to have potential, the race may just bring them on for their next races and her biggest threat could be Nikiya who now looks to be racing off a fair mark.

She was also eye catching last time.

Jack Milner’s selections

Race 1: 6 Venerable, 2 American Dream, 7 Lemme Go, 4 Colour Of Money

Race 2: 4 Ethiopian Queen, 5 Nikiya, 2 Aga Heat, 3 Bonne Bouche

Race 3: 5 Wylie Riley, 7 Fleet Commander, 2 Sirens Of Silence, 1 Allaroundtheworld

Race 4: 5 High Moon, 6 Wiidski, 2 Iron Will, 4 Eventidor

Race 5: 4 Imposing, 5 Secret Giver, 6 Rodriguez, 1 Banzai Pipeline

Race 6: 4 Flower Season, 9 Royal Kitty, 8 Boogie Shoes, 2 Miss Lialah

Race 7: 3 Gentleman's Way, 2 Clean Slate, 8 Cupid's Song, 5 Green Dream

Race 8: 5 Birdwatcher, 1 Iron Chef, 3 Roy's Rocker, 7 Petit Verdot

BEST BET

Race 1 No 6 Venerable

VALUE BET

Race 6 No 4 Flower Season

BEST SWINGER

Race 3 5x7

BIPOT

R256

Leg 1: 6

Leg 2: 4, 5

Leg 3: 5, 7

Leg 4: 2, 4, 5, 6

Leg 5: 1, 4, 5,6

Leg 6: 2, 4, 8, 9

PLACE ACCUMULATOR

R216

Leg 1: 4, 5

Leg 2: 5

Leg 3: 5, 6

Leg 4: 4, 5, 6

Leg 5: 4, 8, 9

Leg 6: 2, 3

Leg 7: 1, 3, 5

PICK 6

R1920

Leg 1: 5, 7

Leg 2: 2, 4, 5, 6

Leg 3: 1, 4, 5, 6

Leg 4: 2, 4, 5, 8, 9

Leg 5: 2, 3, 5, 8

Leg 6: 1, 3, 5

JACKPOT 1

R320

Leg 1: 2, 4, 5, 6

Leg 2: 1, 4, 5, 6

Leg 3: 2, 4, 5, 8, 9

Leg 4: 2, 3, 5, 8

JACKPOT 2

R240

Leg 1: 1, 4, 5, 6

Leg 2: 2, 4, 5, 8, 9

Leg 3: 2, 3, 5, 8

Leg 4: 1, 3, 5