Arumugam the key to tricky handicap

Jack Milner

For a Monday card on the Polytrack at Hollywoodbets Greyville, there is some really good racing to start off the week.

One of the most interesting events comes up in Race 3, a MR 86 Handicap over 1800m where one could make a winning case for every one of the eight runners.

However, it could be worth sticking one’s neck out and go with Arumugam who does hold winning form against most of the other runners. The Peter Muscutt-trained son of Duke Of Marmalade looks have the edge over Sunday Island, Monarchy and Juan Carlos on their most recent meetings, and on collateral form with Juan Carlos, the four-year-old gelding should also hold Artic Tune.

However, in virtually all of these cases the margin of the weight turnarounds is very small and on that basis a bit of luck or bad luck, could swing this entire race.

Some people might feel that being drawn No 8 is not in Arumugam’s favour but over 1800m in a small field the draw is unlikely to play a major part.

Tristan Godden has ridden him five times for a win and three places and he will be aboard again this time.

Monarchy is an interesting runner as he does have winning form against Arumugam based on their penultimate run in the race won by Airways Law. When they met last time, Monarchy was coming back from a three-month rest and may have needed the run.

However, Michael Miller’s charge has been out again for a further 60 days so he could be in need of the run once again. Regular rider Serino Moodley will be in the irons.

Artic Tune, who finished a 0.50-length second behind the now-scratched Sea Master last time, is also in this line-up, based on that performance that brings Lorenzo Karriem’s charge firmly into the picture. The one concern is that the Noble Tune gelding finished unplaced in his only run on the Polytrack.

However, he did suffer interference when a 2.25-length fifth behind Silver Falcon so perhaps Artic Tune needs to be given a second chance.

Calvin Habib takes the ride.

Jack Milner’s selections

Race 1: 9 Triptoroyalty, 10 Guest Getorixx, 1 Aleeyah's Unicorn, 4 Ladies Day

Race 2: 7 Adelante, 5 American Style, 6 Whispering Green, 8 Malcolm's Dream

Race 3: 8 Arumugam, 1 Monarchy, 6 Artic Tune, Sunday Island

Race 4: 3 Sashay Away, 7 Purple Nkanyezi, 4 Magical Flight

Race 5: 6 Brandenburg, 7 Living Waters, 1 Fever, 2 A Whole New World

Race 6: 8 Looking Hot, 5 Kileigh's Fate, 6 Faeezahs Princess, 9 Magicallee

Race 7: 5 Grey Ocean, 4 Esquevelle, 6 Let's Get Together, 1 Mount Greylock

Race 8: 9 Edward Longshanks, 3 Phinda Mzala, 7 Gimme A Rainbow, 4 Stanley Park

BEST BET

Race 7 No 5 Grey Ocean

VALUE BET

Race 3 No 8 Arumugam

BEST SWINGER

Race 2 5x7

BIPOT

R288

Leg 1: 9, 10

Leg 2: 5, 7

Leg 3: 1, 6, 8

Leg 4: 2, 3, 4, 7

Leg 5: 1, 6, 7

Leg 6: 5, 8

PLACE ACCUMULATOR

R216

Leg 1: 5, 7

Leg 2: 1, 8

Leg 3: 2, 3, 7

Leg 4: 1, 6, 7

Leg 5: 5, 8

Leg 6: 5

Leg 7: 3, 7, 9

PICK 6

R1024

Leg 1: 1, 4, 6, 8

Leg 2: 2, 3, 4, 7

Leg 3: 1, 2, 6, 7

Leg 4: 5, 6, 8, 9

Leg 5: 5

Leg 6: 3, 4, 7, 9

JACKPOT 1

R64

Leg 2: 2, 3, 4, 7

Leg 3: 1, 2, 6, 7

Leg 4: 5, 6, 8, 9

Leg 5: 5

JACKPOT 2

R64

Leg 1: 1, 2, 6, 7

Leg 2: 5, 6, 8, 9

Leg 3: 5

Leg 4: 3, 4, 7, 9

 PICTURE: GOLD CIRCLE