Be positive about FUSHIMI Inari

Jack Milner

An interesting but testing 10-race card faces bettors at the Vaal on Thursday and in some cases we could step away from the meeting a lot wiser about the aptitude of some of the up-and-coming horses.

Perhaps the most interesting of these is Fushimi Inari who has potential to turn into quite a decent stayer.

Interestingly his dam, Celtic Cross, has tended to produce sprinter-milers so far and this son of Japanese-bred Danon Platina has bucked that trend and seems to be getting better the further he goes.

Unfortunately, his experience might not match his talent at this stage of his career because he still tends to race greenly when under pressure. That immaturity may well have cost him his last start over 2600m on the Inside track at Turffontein where he finished second but was relegated to third for causing interference.

Ridden by Philasande Mxoli, Fushimi Inari repeatedly bumped Banha Bridge and the stipendiary stewards lodged a successful objection. In spite of so much going wrong, the three-year-old grey gelding was only beaten 0.40 lengths, the race going to Positive Attitude.

Stuart Pettigrew’s charge will have the opportunity to turn the result around as he meets Positive Attitude again in Race 5 at the Vaal tomorrow in a MR 80 Handicap over 2400m and will be 0.5kg better off. Apprentice Kobeli Lihaba takes the ride this time and if he manages to keep his mount under control this time, they should be able to reverse that previous form line.

The 200m less should also work in his favour.

On what is a very tricky card it could be worth taking a chance and making Fushimi Inari a banker in all the exotics.

Of course, one cannot write off Positive Attitude as Joe Soma’s charge is in good form and goes well for Chase Maujean who rode him to victory last time.

In Race 7, a MR 80 Handicap over 1500m, Fully Loaded must be full of confidence to complete a hat-trick.

Nine top-three finishes in his last 10 runs is ample proof that he is holding form like a well-oiled machine.

Fabian Habib’s runner will, however, face a challenge from evergreen nine-year-old Whorly Whorly who has won two of his last three and continues to hold his form.

Then there is also Silvano's Song who won his only try over this distance.

Jack Milner’s selections

Race 1: 14 Northern Kitten, 13 Cougar County, 6 More Than All, 5 Lady Greensleeves

Race 2: 8 Taxi To The Moon, 2 Don't Cry For Me, 3 It's Personal, 9 Wild At War

Race 3: 1 Across The Pond, 5 Mountain High, 10 Ultimissimo, 4 Happy Wives

Race 4: 1 And Action, 12 Jumping Analia, 13 Enchanting Lady, 14 Smashing

Race 5: 7 Fushimi Inari, 1 Positive Attitude, 4 Out Of Your League, 8 Ideal Future

Race 6: 7 Flamboyant Flyer, 8 A Place In The Sun, 2 Off Limits, 3 October Fair

Race 7: 1 Fully Loaded, 7 Whorly Whorly, 15 Silvano's Song, 2 Bob's Your Uncle

Race 8: 3 Wings Within Me, 5 Alabama Anna, 8 Work Of Time, 6 Green Flash

Race 9: 16 Munchkin, 11 Duke Of Rock, 3 Siberian Steel, 19 Open Highway

Race 10: 16 Simply Magic, 17 Southern Style, 7 War Queen, 6 Dhow Solo

BEST BET

Race 5: 7 Fushimi Inari

VALUE BET

Race 9: 16 Munchkin

BEST SWINGER

Race 4 1x2

BIPOT

R288

Leg 1: 2, 3, 8, 9

Leg 2: 1, 5, 10

Leg 3: 1, 12

Leg 4: 7

Leg 5: 2, 7, 8

Leg 6: 1, 2, 7, 15

PLACE ACCUMULATOR

R216

Leg 1: 1, 5

Leg 2: 1, 12

Leg 3: 7

Leg 4: 7, 8

Leg 5: 1, 7, 15

Leg 6: 3, 5, 8

Leg 7: 3, 11, 16

PICK 6

R1600

Leg 1: 1, 12, 13, 14

Leg 2: 7

Leg 3: 2, 3, 7, 8

Leg 4: 1, 2, 7, 15

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

Leg 6: 3, 11, 12, 16, 19

JACKPOT 1

R80

Leg 1: 7

Leg 2: 2, 3, 7, 8

Leg 3: 1, 2, 7, 15

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

JACKPOT 2

R400

Leg 1: 1, 2, 7, 15

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

Leg 3: 3, 11, 12, 16, 19

Leg 4: 6, 7, 16, 17