Jack Milner: Trying to make a quick start out of the gates has become the way to play of late and in spite of Captain Tatters letting the side down on Sunday at Scottsville, it always helps to make some early cash to build up a kitty for the day’s betting.
That rule could also apply at Hollywoodbets Greyville where we have a typical Monday meeting on the Polytrack. It once again is a card that will test punters but Rizzoli could give bettors that winning start when he lines up in Race 1, a Qualified Maiden Plate over 1800m.
This daughter of Jackson will be having her first start for trainer Carl Hewitson after having moved down from the Highveld where she was trained by Gary and Dean Alexander.
The Alexanders have closed down their South African yard to relocate to Australia, but one has to pay tribute to them for their professionalism. As a result of their move, all their horses have been dispersed around the country and the fact that most of them are running so well first time out for the different trainers, is testament to the excellent condition in which they arrived at their new homes.
As a result, one can back Rizzoli with the full confidence she will be fit and ready for the task.
Hewitson appears to have found the perfect race for this three-year-old filly. In her favour is that this is not the strongest of fields, she is perfectly drawn at No 2 and Lyle Hewitson has been engaged to ride Rizzoli for his father.
He has ridden her twice when she was trained by the Alexanders and was placed on both occasions, so he does know her well enough.
Against her is that this is her first run in the province, and she has yet to race on the Polytrack. She will also be taking on the colts but she has done so on one previous occasion and finished third behind Wild Heritage over 2000m at the Vaal.
She does get a sex allowance of 2.5kg and as result, does come in as the best weighted runner in this line-up. In addition, the two most likely dangers – Duquesne Whistle and Maxine Du Monde – are also fillies.
One advantage of a card like this is that there is plenty of value for punters if one can get it right but there is a lot to like about Star Crusade who runs in Race 3, a MR 70 Handicap over 2000m.
While Garth Puller’s charge has yet to win on the Polytrack he went very close last time when going down a short head to Rock With Me over 1800m at the course.
Hewitson picks up the ride for the first time and as this is his third run after a layoff, Star Crusade should be in peak condition.
Jack Milner’s selections
Race 1: 2 Rizzoli, 4 Duquesne Whistle, 1 Maxine Du Monde, 5 Ciro Race 2: 9 Wintertime, 2 Maid In France, 3 Parkdale, 10 Trip To Freedom Race 3: 6 Star Crusade, 9 Justfortheepenny, 11 Room At The Top, 5 Command Control Race 4: 5 Eager Duchess, 2 Cozy Dot Com, 7 Ingakara, 4 Royal Kitty Race 5: 7 Smart William, 3 We All Chomies, 6 Montana Sky, 9 Snow In Seattle Race 6: 4 Winter Waves, 6 Majorca Palace, 5 Magic Sailor, 9 Rocket Fire Race 7: 5 Alsflamingbeauty, 6 Forgetful Girl, 8 Deerupt, 7 Eye Catching Race 8: 2 Rachel, 1 Matadora’s Parade, 8 Beckoning Beauty, 11 Gingerspathtoglory