Jack Milner
There was a lot of excitement in the breeding world when it was announced Hawwaam would be off to stud in South Africa, not only because if his outstanding performances on the turf but also because he was a stunning looker.
With his first crop taking the racecourse this year, those prediction of greatness appear to be on the rise as he has already produced a number of winners.
Mike de Kock trained Hawwaam and it comes as no surprise that he, now teamed up with son Mathew, has picked up some his progeny to train and one of those is Spaarne Rivier, who lines up in Race 4, an open Maiden over 1400m, on the Polytrack at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Wednesday.
Spaarne Rivier, a three-year-old gelding, made his debut over 1200m at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on 21 September and finished third, beaten 1.20 lengths by Nathan Kotzen-trained Chicarito.
He was not strongly fancied in the betting and was allowed to go off at 9-2. After moving into contention at the 400m mark he stayed on nicely to run third. The form line was franked when fourth-placed Johnny Boy, who finished a further five lengths behind Spaarne Rivier, came out to win his next start.
There is no doubt Spaarne Rivier needs further than 1200m and he will benefit from the 1400m around the turn this time. He is a half-brother to four-time winner Miss Platina and two-time winner The Ghost, both of whom won over 1600m and the former over 1750m at Scottsville. Both of them were by Danon Platina
If he takes to the Polytrack he should be hard to beat, especially jumping from No 3 draw. Callan Murray, who rode him on debut, will be back in the irons and they stand out as the best bet of the card and a banker in all bets.
Jack Milner’s selections
Race 1: 2 Priory Terrace, 3 Austrian Beauty, 9 Captain Ventura, 6 Sol E Sombra
Race 2: 5 Xiphos, 2 Outrun The Rain, 7 Kingsboy, 4 Grand Force
Race 3: 4 American Gem, 7 Blue Poppy, 5 Bella Valentina, 2 Mrs Stormiatrix
Race 4: 3 Spaarne Rivier, 5 Susurrando, 8 Taste The Rainbow, 4 Dream Decision
Race 5: 2 Call Me Wild, 10 Takeyourbestshot, 1 Green Mile, 6 Drielandenpunt
Race 6: 6 King Bavarian, 2 Banzai Pipeline, 1 Connoisseur, 4 Silver Platter
Race 7: 3 She's A Machine, 2 Light Of Gabriel, 1 Roy Taking Off, 6 Rahhabba
Race 8: 3 Major Tommie, 5 Mojo Man, 4 Princess Hannah, 8 Future Flo
Race 9: 8 Pinetti, 10 Rainbow Reward, 4 Kinshin Sha, 5 Counter Attack
BEST BET
Race 4: 3 Spaarne Rivier
VALUE BET
Race 9: 8 Pinetti
BEST SWINGER
Race 2 2x5
BIPOT
R216
Leg 1: 2, 5
Leg 2: 4, 5, 7
Leg 3: 3
Leg 4: 1, 2, 10
Leg 5: 1, 2, 4, 6
Leg 6: 1, 2, 3
PLACE ACCUMULATOR
R324
Leg 1: 4, 7
Leg 2: 3
Leg 3: 2, 10
Leg 4: 1, 2, 6
Leg 5: 1, 2, 3
Leg 6: 3, 4, 5
Leg 7: 4, 8, 10
PICK 6
R1600
Leg 1: 3
Leg 2: 1, 2, 6, 10
Leg 3: 1, 2, 4, 6, 8
Leg 4: 1, 2, 3, 6
Leg 5: 3, 4, 5, 8
Leg 6: 4, 5, 8, 10, 11
JACKPOT 1
R320
Leg 1: 1, 2, 6, 10
Leg 2: 1, 2, 4, 6, 8
Leg 3: 1, 2, 3, 6
Leg 4: 3, 4, 5, 8
JACKPOT 2
R400
Leg 1: 1, 2, 4, 6, 8
Leg 2: 1, 2, 3, 6
Leg 3: 3, 4, 5, 8
Leg 4: 4, 5, 8, 10, 11