Art Nouveau to paint the picture in KZN

Jack Milner

Art Nouveau is one of a few unexposed runners with good improvement to come at a tough meeting on the Polytrack at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Wednesday.

The Mike Miller-trained filly lines up in Race 2, a Maiden Plate for fillies and mares over 1700m, and is expected to go one better after finishing runner-up last time.

Art Nouveau is by Querari, sire of this year’s Equus award winning stayer Master Redoute, and her mare, Art Deco, also foaled Decorated, who won the Grade 3 KwaZulu-Natal Derby over 2400m.

So it came as no surprise when she trailed in 11.25 lengths behind the winner debut over 1200m on the turf. What is surprising is that she showed some pace in that race and caught the eye with a slight increase in distance on the Polytrack in her second start.

While she proved no match for Coral Blaze, who ran out a 6.30-length winner over 1400m, Art Nouveau stayed on strongly to finish second. That distance would also be too short so one can expect even further improvement trying 1700m this time.

There are others who have improvement to come too she could be the most forward and she jumps ideally from stall No 2.

Tristan Godden rode her last time and he is back on board.

Alyson Wright has some nice runners later in the meeting with Professor Lupin in Race 8, a MR 74 Handicap over 1200m, looks to be her best.

He showed a great deal of versatility by winning on the turf last time. Not only did he win in a fast time, but he also beat Masterbling in good style. The latter came out to impress on the Polytrack last week, so the form is strong.

After Professor Lupin, a half-brother to top-class Polytrack sprinter Shipholia, won his maiden on the Polytrack it looked like he would only ply his trade on that surface. But the way he won last time suggests he might just be a horse on the up and he may still be good value in his heat as he is rising in class.

Rachel Venniker rode him to victory last time and she has been engaged to ride him again.

Jack Milner’s selections

Race 1: 8 Mr Hotstepper, 2 Mc Dazzler, 4 Real War, 3 Pleasedtoseeyou

Race 2: 2 Art Nouveau, 3, Sascha's Dream, 9 Yellow Jacket, 1 Perfectly Picked

Race 3: 7 English Primrose, 2 Canford Queen, 1 Pink Diamond, 3 Lady Is A Champ

Race 4: 4 Circle Of Grace, 7 Rastignac, 6 King Bavarian, 1 Lucretius

Race 5: 4 Khanyisa Indlela, 3 Zoombomber, 1 Bom Bom, 5 Porfirio

Race 6: 5 Ingqwele, 7 Animal Impact, 1 Faire Advantage, 4 Sweeper Keeper

Race 7: 2 Million Voices, 7 Avernian Goddess, 6 Heirloom, 5 Rafeef's Choice

Race 8: 4 Professor Lupin, 8 Stars In Heaven, 1 Hippocrates, 5 Super Fast

BEST BET

Race 6: 5 Ingqwele

VALUE BET

Race 8: 4 Professor Lupin

BEST SWINGER

Race 3 2x7

BIPOT

R144

Leg 1: 2, 8

Leg 2: 2, 3, 9

Leg 3: 2, 7

Leg 4: 1, 4, 6, 7

Leg 5: 1, 3, 4

Leg 6: 5

PLACE ACCUMULATOR

R192

Leg 1: 2, 3

Leg 2: 2, 7

Leg 3: 4, 6, 7

Leg 4: 3, 4

Leg 5: 5

Leg 6: 2, 7

Leg 7: 1, 4, 5, 8

PICK 6

R1512

Leg 1: 1, 2, 7

Leg 2: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7

Leg 3: 1, 3, 4, 5

Leg 4: 5

Leg 5: 2, 6, 7

Leg 6: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8

JACKPOT 1

R72

Leg 1: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7

Leg 2: 1, 3, 4, 5

Leg 3: 5

Leg 4: 2, 6, 7

JACKPOT 2

R84

Leg 1: 1, 3, 4, 5

Leg 2: 5

Leg 3: 2, 6, 7

Leg 4: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8