American Rebel stands out at Vaal

Jack Milner

Bettors are faced with a highly competitive card on Tuesday when they race on the Classic track, but there look to be some attractive bets.

The first comes up in Race 3, a Maiden Handicap over 1600m, where Weichong Marwing sends out American Rebel.

Sometimes it is just about finding the right race for any runner and Marwing seems to have found the ideal vehicle for the three-year-old Rebel King gelding to break his maiden.   

American Rebel started a warm-order favourite in his last start, despite a wide draw on the Inside track at Turffontein over the same distance but could only finish fourth under Richard Fourie - albeit just 2.35 lengths off the winner.

He acquitted himself well enough in a somewhat stronger race than this and a repeat of that performance from a better No 4 draw this time round is likely to see Philasande Mxoli in the winners’ box.

American Rebel has only raced four times so there is room for vast improvement has he gets more experienced and against a field of this calibre, he does appear to be one of the best bets on the card.

Calvin Habib takes the ride on what could be a great value bet when he rides One Religion for trainer Roy Magner in Race 6, a MR 68 Handicap for fillies and mares over 2000m.

She tried 2400m last and led the field going through the 400m mark but had little left in the closing stages and she faded out to finish a 4.80-length seventh behind Vesuvio.

She not only drops in distance this time but also in class as the average merit rating last time was 70, while this it is 64. She also raced against colt in that event and now she is back against her own sex.
Habib, in his only association aboard the three-year-old filly, steered this daughter of Silvano to a close-up third behind Be Real over this track and trip. She races off the same mark she did that day at a slightly lower level and just a repeat of that effort or a similar performance is likely to land Habib back in the No 1 box.

Be Real is also in this race and has to be a danger but based on that last race over this course and distance, One Religion is expected to have the advantage this time. Heather Adamson’s runner is up 10.5kg while One Religion is up 5kg. That should be enough for Magner’s charge to reverse the 0.90-length gap.

However, a 4kg claiming apprentice had the ride on Be Real that day while Piere Strydom will take the ride on this occasion.

Others to consider are Angel’s Wish, Red Knot, Damova and Dynamic Lass. The latter’s last race saw her finish 1.75 lengths behind Frances Ethel in a Maiden Plate but that was back in January, and she could need the race.

The six-year-old Dynasty clearly has her issues as she has only raced four times and started off in 2021.

Jack Milner’s selections

Race 1: 2 Japanese Maple, 1 Callaburn, 3 Teo Torriatte, 4 Pomo Clapper, 5 Angel Of My Heart

Race 2: 1 Safe Space, 3 Gimme The Flame, 5 Carnelo, 2 Fifth Of July

Race 3: 1 American Rebel, 12 Ultimissimo, 9 Chicago Lass, 7 Mo Ment

Race 4: 2 Commander Of All, 1 Smashing, 3 Someday Maybe, 4 State Of Play

Race 5: 5 Martinique, 3 Flag Bearer, 4 Nuclear Force, 6 Guy Alexander

Race 6: 4 One Religion, 7 Angel's Wish, 3 Red Knot, 1 Be Real

Race 7: 2 Golden Aspen, 7 Southern Style, 11 Della's Sword, 4 Lady Elliot

Race 8: 3 King's Ransom, 6 Apache Son, 5 Golden Pavilion, 9 Fast Duty

Race 9: 6 Peace Of Mind, 7 Red Carpet Girl, 8 Count Your Chances, 3 Calida

BEST BET

Race 3 No 1 American Rebel

VALUE BET

Race 6 No 4 One Religion

BEST SWINGER

Race 9 6x7

BIPOT

R360

Leg 1: 1, 3

Leg 2: 1

Leg 3: 1, 2, 3

Leg 4: 3, 4, 5, 6, 8

Leg 5: 1, 3, 4, 7

Leg 6: 2, 7, 11

PLACE ACCUMULATOR

R162

Leg 1: 1

Leg 2: 1, 2

Leg 3: 3, 4, 5

Leg 4: 3, 4, 7

Leg 5: 2, 7, 11

Leg 6: 3, 5, 6

Leg 7: 6

PICK 6

R1728

Leg 1: 1, 2, 3

Leg 2: 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9

Leg 3: 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9

Leg 4: 2, 4, 7, 11

Leg 5: 3, 5, 6, 9

Leg 6: 6

JACKPOT 1

R576

Leg 1: 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9

Leg 2: 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9

Leg 3: 2, 4, 7, 11

Leg 4: 3, 5, 6, 9

JACKPOT 2

R1728

Leg 1: 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9

Leg 2: 2, 4, 7, 11

Leg 3: 3, 5, 6, 9

Leg 4: 6