Jack Milner: We often write how tricky a card can be, but in the case of Thursday’s race meeting on the Vaal Classic track, it could be a great day for the punters.
There do appear some good opportunities and an All-To-Come bet with Ontheverge in Race 2 and Master Archie in Race 6 looks the way to go.
Candice Dawson trains Ontheverge who has raced three times, finishing fourth, third and second respectively. The first two races were over 1200m but last time this daughter of Where’s That Tiger was tried over 1500m and produced the fastest time for the final 400m to go down just 0.80 lengths to Linganomore. Now she goes an extra 300m and that should be ideal.
Dawson could not have found a better race for her charge as she is the best weighted runner by a mile. For the record, had this been a handicap she would have had to give 6.5kg and more to the other five runners.
Gavin Lerena rode her last time and he is back on board.
Those who read Paul Peter’s comments as to who will lead his main thrust for the season will have noticed the name of Master Archie among them. This son of Rafeef joined the stable following three runs in the Western Cape that had produced two places over 1000m and a fifth over 1200m.
Peter put him in a Work Riders’ Maiden Plate over 1000m and Master Archie won unextended by 7.50 lengths. It might not have appeared to be the strongest of fields but two winners have come out of that form line, one of them being Master Archie himself.
Peter was full of confidence his charge would win again next time out, in spite of the fact that he was coming up against Dyce, who had won his maiden by 9.25 lengths.
Those who predicted a close race were way off the mark as Master Archie coasted home to beat Dyce by 2.50 lengths.
The form was franked in no uncertain terms when Dyce ran in the Grade 2 Umkhomazi Stakes over 1200m at Greyville and slammed the opposition by 4.30 lengths.
Master Archie will have bigger fish to fry later in the season, but he looks far too speedy for his rivals in this Graduation Plate over 1000m. Warren Kennedy rides.
Jack Milner’s selections
Race 1: 3 Monsoon Kenny, 4 Invincible Wall, 1 Jackson’s Duel, 5 Run For The Sun
Race 2: 5 Ontheverge, 1 Shikuru, 2 Stunning Kitten, 4 After Me
Race 3: 1 Gilda Gray, 8 English Primrose, 2 Rockingthetimeaway, 9 Kazanjian
Race 4: 1 Timbavati River, 11 Golden Aspen, 6 Corapi, 2 Coming In Hot
Race 5: 5 Alabama Anna, 2 Naarah, 1 Sweet Sensation, 6 Waya Yire
Race 6: 4 Master Archie, 8 Captain’s Run, 5 Retallick, 6 Jet Cat
Race 7: 1 Eliud, 3 Nartjie, 5 Paton’s Tears, 4 Imperial Master
Race 8: 4 Midnight Gem, 5 Flower Of Scotland, 2 West Coast Lover, 1 Letsdoit
BEST BET
Race 6 No 4 Master Archie
VALUE BET
Race 8 No 4 Midnight Gem
BEST SWINGER
Race 4 1×11
BIPOT
R54
Leg 1: 1, 3, 4
Leg 2: 5
Leg 3: 1, 2, 8
Leg 4: 1, 11
Leg 5: 1, 2, 5
Leg 6: 4
PLACE ACCUMULATOR
R96
Leg 1: 5
Leg 2: 1, 8
Leg 3: 1, 11
Leg 4: 2, 5
Leg 5: 4
Leg 6: 1, 3, 5
Leg 7: 1, 2, 4, 5
PICK 6
R1200
Leg 1: 1, 2, 8
Leg 2: 1, 11
Leg 3: 1, 2, 3, 5, 6
Leg 4: 4
Leg 5: 1, 3, 4, 5, 6
Leg 6: 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 11, 12
JACKPOT 1
R75
Leg 1: 1, 6, 11
Leg 2: 1, 2, 3, 5, 6
Leg 3: 4
Leg 4: 1, 3, 4, 5, 6
JACKPOT 2
R200
Leg 1: 1, 2, 3, 5, 6
Leg 2: 4
Leg 3: 1, 3, 4, 5, 6
Leg 4: 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 11, 12