Ambiorix to bounce back on Polytrack

Jack Milner

Ambiorix has been a little disappointing over the last year but could strike form again when he lines up in the New Turf Carriers eThekwini Sprint (Non-Black Type) over 1200m for three-year-olds on the Polytrack at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Sunday.

Vaughan Marshall’s charge looked to have a bright future after winning last season’s Grade 1 Golden Medallion over 1200m at Scottsville but has not triumphed since then. The fact he only raced sporadically since then indicates that he probably had some issues but he does look to be on his way back after having been gelded.

His penultimate start at Greyville on the turf should be ignored because he did not have much luck but there was a lot to like from his first try on the Polytrack last time. The son of Vercingetorix was close to the pace but he faded close home and perhaps 1400m is beyond him at this stage of his career.

He returns to 1200m, has S’manga Khumalo in the irons, and has the benefit of jumping from No 1 draw.   

He is not the best weighted runner under the race conditions – the fillies are favoured with their sex allowance – but he still could be good enough to hold his own.

Barzelona is probably better over slightly shorter, but he did win over 1200m at Fairview. This is his first run at the track and he could enjoy the track from No 2 draw.

Master Starter runs well over this course and distance but he does take a jump in class and will be tested.  

Ready Or Not could provide punters with the best banker on the card when he lines up in Race 2, a Maiden plate over 1600m.

If Ready Or Not did not hang and race wide on debut the result may have been different. He was also given a sympathetic ride, but whatever the case trainer Dean Kannemeyer deemed his charge good enough to go straight into the Listed Gatecrasher Stakes.

The drop in distance from 1600m to 1400m looks to have caught him off guard, but he was not disgraced in finishing sixth as the race has already produced three winners, including Cousin Casey who went on to win the Grade 2 Golden Horseshoe on Durban July day.

Add to that the fact Royal Victory, who won the race in which Ready Or Not made his debut, ran second in that feature, the son of Rafeef is starting to look the proverbial penalty.

Once again Keagan de Melo takes the ride.

It’s hard to believe that Shavout is a one-time winner. He won his maiden almost two years ago and confirmed high-class ability with a third place in the Listed Sledgehammer before taking the same position in the Grade 2 Betting WSB 1900 (won by recent Grade 1 winner She’s A Keeper).

Horses from that race are usually fighting for their places in top events like the Hollywoodbets Durban July and have top division wins in the tank.

Shavout’s high rating (91) may have something to do with it and while he has now dropped to a workable mark of 82, he still appears well in at the weights in a race where a high mark is needed. He runs in Race 4, a Conditional Novice over 1600m.

Imbewu looks a big danger. While she has failed over 1600m on the Highveld, it may work a treat on the poly. She was running on well at the end of her Polytrack debut over 1400m and being the best-weighted horse in the race Sean Tarry’s charge must be given the utmost respect.

Jack Milner’s selections

Race 1: 9 Minstrel Gallery, 2 Act Of Mercy, 3 Devils And Dust, 6 Bay Of Dreams

Race 2: 3 Ready Or Not, 5 Dowser, 8 Peteca, 6 Osceola

Race 3: 1 Winter Melody, 7 Graphene Aerogel, 2 Fashionigma, 6 American Style

Race 4: 5 Shavout, 4 Imbewu, 8 Toffas, 6 Mandala Effect

Race 5: 7 Green Dream, 6 Amble Inn, 4 Royal Kitty, 12 Freedom's Fire

Race 6: 6 Tread Swiftly, 1 Dockofthebay, 2 Artic Tune, 5 Spirit Of My Fate

Race 7: 1 Ambiorix, 2 Barzalona, 8 Mr Master Starter, 3 Kwinta's Light

Race 8: 4 Expeditioner, 5 Mescal, 6 Metallic Gold, 1 Blush Of Dawn

BEST BET

Race 2 No 3 Ready Or Not

VALUE BET

Race 7 No 1 Ambiorix

BEST SWINGER

Race 4 4x5

BIPOT

R432

Leg 1: 2, 3, 6, 9

Leg 2: 3

Leg 3: 1, 2, 7

Leg 4: 4, 5, 8

Leg 5: 4, 6, 7, 12

Leg 6: 1, 2, 6

PLACE ACCUMULATOR

R216

Leg 1: 3

Leg 2: 1, 7

Leg 3: 4, 5

Leg 4: 4, 6, 7

Leg 5: 1, 2, 6

Leg 6: 1, 2, 8

Leg 7: 4, 5

PICK 6

R1920

Leg 1: 1, 2, 6, 7

Leg 2: 4, 5, 8

Leg 3: 4, 5, 6, 7, 12

Leg 4: 1, 2, 5, 6

Leg 5: 1, 2, 3, 8

Leg 6: 4, 5

JACKPOT 1

R240

Leg 1: 4, 5, 8

Leg 2: 4, 5, 6, 7, 12

Leg 3: 1, 2, 5, 6

Leg 4: 1, 2, 3, 8

JACKPOT 2

R160

Leg 1: 4, 5, 6, 7, 12

Leg 2: 1, 2, 5, 6

Leg 3: 1, 2, 3, 8

Leg 4: 4, 5