All eyes on Strydom in KZN Breeders Mile

Jack Milner

The KwaZulu-Natal Breeders racemeeting takes centre stage at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Sunday and it is always great fun. All but one of the races are run on Polytrack and that is Race 7, the R600,000 KZN Breeders Mile, which is run on turf.

Many eyes will be focused on this event as it heralds the return of six-time champion jockey Piere Strydom who has been out of action for a year as the result of a detached retina. He will be riding Nexus and it comes as no surprise to see Justin Snaith’s charge priced up as favourite to give Strydom a winning comeback.

One might have to go back to December 2020 to find the last time Nexus won a race but if one does take the time one will see that his jockey that day was Piere Strydom, who brought him from last to win the Grade 2 Peninsula Handicap at Kenilworth. It was the only time Strydom has ridden the son of Dynasty.

That win resulted in Nexus having to race off a merit rating of 117, but that has now come down significantly to 107. While he has yet to win at the course, Nexus has placed twice in three outings.

His main threat could come from Willow Express, trained by Sean Tarry. He finished just behind the leaders in a Pinnacle Stakes over this course and distance last time and that put him just 0.70 lengths behind Hoedspruit that day – and he is one of the fancies for the Hollywoodbets Durban July.    

Best bet on the day is Winter Smoke in Race 3, the Fort Stud KwaZulu-Natal Breeders 1200 for Fillies and Mares.

Winter Smoke was backed into favourite in last year’s race after taking her chances and disappointing in the Grade 1 SA Fillies Sprint. After showing good pace to overcome her draw she looked to have hurt herself as she finished downfield with the excuse of a “short left hind”.

Although she finished unplaced this year’s SA Fillies Sprint, Ashley Fortune’s charge has been in decent form lately, winning the Grade 2 Camellia Stakes at Turffontein. She is a full 7kg better off with next-best weighted runners Aunty Lizzy and Calulo.

Jack Milner’s selections

Race 1: 7 Triptoroyalty, 3 Will O Me, 2 Russian Doll, 1 Honey Land

Race 2: 10 Magic Tattoo, 6 Umhlali, 2 Stevie Gee, 4 Lovers Lane

Race 3: 5 Winter Smoke, 3 Miss Magician, 4 Aunty Lizzy, 1 Dubawi Princess

Race 4: 4 Ad Altisima, 6 In Cahoots, 8 Proud Master, 9 Justaguything

Race 5: 4 Have A Go Jo, 8 Princess Kesh, 2 Aquae Sulis, 3 Victory Twist

Race 6: 8 Straight Up, 4 Chattertons Keeper, 1 Prince Of Taranto, 5 Gunsmoke

Race 7: 4 Nexus, 5 Willow Express, 1 Chijmes, 2 Artic Tune, 7 Bold Act

Race 8: 8 Wishful Girl Linn, 1 Crazy Blues, 6 Conchita, 7 Capetown Beauty

BEST BET

Race 3 No 5 Winter Smoke

VALUE BET

Race 5 No 4 Have A Go Jo

BEST SWINGER

Race 1 3x7

BIPOT

R162

Leg 1: 3, 7

Leg 2: 2, 6, 10

Leg 3: 5

Leg 4: 4, 6, 8

Leg 5: 2, 4, 8

Leg 6: 1, 4, 8

PLACE ACCUMULATOR

R216

Leg 1: 6, 10

Leg 2: 5

Leg 3: 4, 6

Leg 4: 2, 4, 8

Leg 5: 1, 4, 8

Leg 6: 4, 5

Leg 7: 1, 6, 8

PICK 6

R960

Leg 1: 5

Leg 2: 4, 6, 8, 9

Leg 3: 2, 3, 4, 8

Leg 4: 1, 4, 5, 8

Leg 5: 1, 4, 5

Leg 6: 1, 3, 6, 7, 8

JACKPOT 1

R192

Leg 1: 4, 6, 8, 9

Leg 2: 2, 3, 4, 8

Leg 3: 1, 4, 5, 8

Leg 4: 1, 4, 5

JACKPOT 2

R240

Leg 1: 2, 3, 4, 8

Leg 2: 1, 4, 5, 8

Leg 3: 1, 4, 5

Leg 4: 1, 3, 6, 7, 8