Jack Milner: David Nieuwenhuizen does not have a large string of horses but he does remarkably well with what he has.
A good work ethic often brings its opportunities and Nieuwenhuizen has picked up some good horses slong the way. However, he appears to have unearthed a really outstanding filly for his yard in the form of Anna Capri.
This daughter of Var has only run three times, finishing third on debut behind Afternoon Tea over 1160m, and then scored two sensational victories over 1000m. The first saw her beat Milan’s Princess by 6.50 lengths and then, in a Graduation Plate, she blew away Greens by 3.50 lengths.
Tomorrow she lines up in Race 7, a Pinnacle Stakes over 1000m on the Vaal Classic track, and we can expect a similar performance. Her name does not appear in the best-weighted column, but that is probably because the handicappers are restricted to giving her a maximum six-point penalty for winning a Graduation Plate.
Chase Maujean has ridden her in all three of her rides, but he is unavailable for this meeting and Gavin Lerena will be aboard this time.
She comes in with 56kg on her back an looks the stand-out bet at the meeting.
For those who want to take Exactas, Swingers and Trifectas, the horses to follow Anna Capri home look to be Winter Watch, Sweet Sensation and Before the Dawn.
Roy Magner-trained Winter Watch finished 1.50 lengths ahead of Before The Dawn last time and as Winter Watch is 0.5kg better off this time, he should retain his advantage over the Ashley Fortune-trained runner.
Sweet Sensation from the Corne Spies stable lost her earlier form and did not have a good campaign in KwaZulu-Natal, but after the rest and back to what is possibly her best distance, this filly could prove dangerous.
Trainer Paul Peter and jockey Warren Kennedy hit form in no uncertain manner on Saturday and they can start the meeting off in style with wins on Godswood in Race 1 and Lotus in Race 2.
Jack Milner’s selections
Race 1: 9 Godswood, 1 Bold Resolve, 2 Harlequin Jack, 14 Stay The Course
Race 2: 7 Lotus, 14 La Luvia, 15 Rizzoli, 2 Amberglo Star
Race 3: 1 Veld Flower, 13 Scottish Primrose, 4 Euphoriant, 2 Bright Eyed Girl
Race 4: 1 Captain Chorus, 3 Palace Green, 8 Sun Giant, 2 Rocky Path
Race 5: 10 Lets Talk, 14 Bellagio King, 7 Kurt’s Approval, 5 Sammi Moosa, Walterthepenniless
Race 6: 6 Bingwa, 1 Whipping Boy, 2 Waqaas, 12 Get Set
Race 7: 5 Anna Capri, 2 Winter Watch, 4 Sweet Sensation, 3 Before The Dawn
Race 8: 13 Slalom Queen, 12 Varina, 7 Garden Party, 1 Naafer Kwite
BEST BET
Race 7 No 5 Anna Capri
VALUE BET
Race 6 No 6 Bingwa
BEST SWINGER
RACE 1
1×9
BIPOT
R480
Leg 1: 9
Leg 2: 7, 14
Leg 3: 1, 2, 4, 13
Leg 4: 1, 2, 3, 8
Leg 5: 5, 6, 7, 10, 14
Leg 6: 1, 2, 6
PLACE ACCUMULATOR
R216
Leg 1: 7
Leg 2: 1, 4, 13
Leg 3: 1, 2, 3, 8
Leg 4: 5, 7, 10, 14
Leg 5: 1, 2, 6
Leg 6: 5
Leg 7: 12, 13
PICK 6
R1920
Leg 1: 1, 2, 3, 4, 13
Leg 2: 1, 2, 3, 8
Leg 3: 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 14
Leg 4: 1, 2, 6
Leg 5: 5
Leg 6: 1, 7, 12, 13
JACKPOT 1
R224
Leg 1: 1, 2, 3, 8
Leg 2: 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 14
Leg 3: 1, 2, 6, 7, 8, 13, 15
Leg 4: 5
JACKPOT 2
R224
Leg 1: 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 14
Leg 2: 1, 2, 6, 7, 8, 13, 15
Leg 3: 5
Leg 4: 1, 7, 12, 13