When trainer Zietsman Oosthuizen gets a horse well they can often win two or three races quickly and his sprinter, Al Qaasim, looks to be in the form of his life.
The Captain Al gelding went through a bleak 2022 and when this year came around, he has been better than ever before.
Runner-up behind useful yardstick Naval Strength in early January was followed by an easy win over the course and distance (Fairview Polytrack 1200m), in which jockey Ryan Munger rode a very good race to win start-to-finish.
A couple of weeks break saw him return in a 1000m race on this surface and surprisingly out-paced early on he finished off too good for the speedy Ledell's Echo.
Penalties to the tune of a 4.5kg total will make it tougher for him on Monday in Race 6, a MR 88 Handicap over 1200m, but he can pull it off.
Probably the two better bets of the day are in the first two races with Watch Tower and Grazinginthegrass looking hard to oppose. Watch Tower in Race 1, a Maiden Juvenile Plate over 1000m on the Polytrack, has been unlucky not to get out of the maiden ranks as of yet but should do it this time.
Trainer Gavin Smith has reached for blinkers this time (not needed for yet, some might say) and it could do the trick.
The form of Grazinginthegrass suggests it might be a lot closer than the handicapper seems to think but he is going to prove hard to beat in Race 2, a Pinnacle Stakes over 1900m.
Two good wins under jockey Richard Fourie in December and February were solid and he is well suited to the course and distance.
An interesting aside to this meeting will be how Cherry Ano runs in Race 7, a MR 77 Handicap over 1600m.
The stipendiary stewards questioned jockey JP Van der Merwe about his ride aboard the colt last time out and Smith has given the ride back to jockey S'manga Khumalo.
It is his first taste of the Polytrack but we await to see what happens this time.
Jack Milner’s selections
Race 1: 4 Watch Tower, 7 Vandalise, 1 Empire Blue, 5Nepal
Race 2: 1 Grazinginthegrass, 2 Mhlabeni, 5 Zig Zag, 3 Peace In Our World
Race 3: 4 Executor, 10 Successful Lady, 2 Miss Tucker, 5 Just Forever
Race 4: 7 Makaha Beach, 3 Siberian Fox, 11 Single File, 4 Maya's Cat
Race 5: 7 Global Goddess, 2 Sweet The Sound, 6 Crown Plaza, 9 Mon Tresor
Race 6: 1 Al Qaasim, 9 Cruzador, 3 Pure Maverick, 6 Teatro
Race 7: 3 Cherry Ano, 7 Last Storm, 9 Razor Red, 2 Central City
Race 8: 1 Equestrian Affair, 10 Silver Stardust, 4 Saint Anastasia, 6 Euphoric
BEST BET
Race 1 No 4 Watch Tower
VALUE BET
Race 5 No 7 Global Goddess
BEST SWINGER
Race 2 1x2
BIPOT
R144
Leg 1: 4
Leg 2: 1, 2
Leg 3: 4, 10
Leg 4: 3, 7, 11
Leg 5: 2, 6, 7, 9
Leg 6: 1, 3, 9
PLACE ACCUMULATOR
R243
Leg 1: 1
Leg 2: 4
Leg 3: 3, 7, 11
Leg 4: 2, 6, 7
Leg 5: 1, 3, 9
Leg 6: 3, 7, 9
Leg 7: 1, 4, 10
PICK 6
R1800
Leg 1: 4, 10
Leg 2: 2, 3, 4, 7, 11
Leg 3: 2, 6, 7, 9, 12
Leg 4: 1, 3, 6, 9
Leg 5: 3, 7, 9
Leg 6: 1, 4, 10
JACKPOT 1
R300
Leg 1: 2, 3, 4, 7, 11
Leg 2: 2, 6, 7, 9, 12
Leg 3: 1, 3, 6, 9
Leg 4: 3, 7, 9
JACKPOT 2
R180
Leg 1: 2, 6, 7, 9, 12
Leg 2: 1, 3, 6, 9
Leg 3: 3, 7, 9
Leg 4: 1, 4, 10
Take a flutter on Snaith’s Fluter
Jack Milner
Read more
Dedicated Hero can prevail at Carlisle
An interesting recruit to obstacles is Sandy Thomson's Dedicated Hero, who should be followed at Carlisle on ...
Read more
Menaggio the pick to prevail at Plumpton
Alan King's Menaggio can continue the solid start he has made to his chasing career in the Southern Cranes ...
Read more