Jack Milner
Plate and Stakes races monopolise the card at Turffontein on Saturday when racing takes place on the Inside rack.
Seven of the nine races are fixed-weight events and that often augurs well for betters as it does favour the best weighted runner, based on their merit ratings. That, of course, is assuming they are producing their best form.
Heading up the card is Race 5, a Pinnacle Stakes over 1600m, and it is 2023 Gauteng Guineas winner Eye Of The Prophet that heads the best weighted column.
Sadly, Paul Matchett’s charge has lost his form and his last six starts have been really poor. His merit rating has started to drop but as this is a Stakes race that fact holds little water. One will have to wait until he runs in a handicap for followers to get the real benefit.
Next best on that list is Bingwa who is a 1600m specialist. In fact Johan Janse van Vuuren’s charge has registered six of his seven career wins over the distance so the return to 1600m will suit the seven-year-old Pathfork gelding. His most recent success was achieved in his latest appearance on the Inside track over the same course and distance under Kabelo Matsunyane who will be in the irons once again.
With all the ingredients for that winning recipe repeated, Bingwa is one of the better bets on the card.
However, it must be noted that Matchett trains half of the eight-horse field and if Eye Of The Prophet is not the key runner for the yard, it is likely to be Key Element.
This four-year-old Querari filly has not won since September last year but with just 50kg on her back, she looks the main threat to Bingwa who will have to give her 12kg.
And with both Swing Upon A Star and Mercantour being highly questionable over the distance, Bingwa and Key Element should get bettors through all the exotics.
There are some really good bets early on the card and Van Vuuren teamed up with S’manga Khumalo in Race 1, a Maiden Plate over 1600m, should get the meeting off to a winning start with three-year-old filly Far Reaching, whose form and experience will stand her in good stead.
This daughter of Vercingetorix improved for the step up in trip to 1450m last time, her first outing beyond 1200m, when a fast-finishing second on the Vaal Classic track in her final juvenile appearance.
On that evidence, Far Reaching will have even more to offer going this distance for the first time so she should prove too good for her male opposition who will also have to concede a 3kg sex allowance to Van Vuuren's charge.
Jack Milner’s selections
Race 1: 6 Far Reaching, 2 Cliffie Clavin, 3 Early Edition, 1 Heroic Act
Race 2: 1 Lacewing, 7 Vulcanite, 2 Kuramathi, 3 Blue Velvet
Race 3: 5 Accept Cookies, 2 Tik Tok Addiction, 3 Tipperary, 8 Stroopsoet
Race 4: 9 Kaleesh Cyborg, 4 Busstopinhounslow, 8 Jaham, 1 Chieftain's Shield
Race 5: 1 Bingwa, 7 Key Element, 6 Flashy Apache, 4 Swing Upon A Star
Race 6: 3 Taxi To The Moon, 4 Prince Of Kildare, 6 Lead The Charge, 7 Buffalo Storm Cody
Race 7: 1 Chasing Happiness, 7 Bosum Buddy, 4 Force Eight, 5 Happy Mo
Race 8: 8 King's Express, 4 Twin Turbo, 6 Millahue, 7 Player
Race 9: 2 Ariel's Jet, 10 Sensoria, 1 Mighty Goddess, 6 Play With Fire
BEST BET
Race 1: 6 Far Reaching
VALUE BET
Race 8: 8 King's Express
BEST SWINGER
Race 2 1x2
BIPOT
R54
Leg 1: 1
Leg 2: 5
Leg 3: 4, 8, 9
Leg 4: 1, 7
Leg 5: 3, 4, 6
Leg 6: 1, 4, 7
PLACE ACCUMULATOR
R216
Leg 1: 5
Leg 2: 4, 9
Leg 3: 1, 7
Leg 4: 3, 4
Leg 5: 1, 4, 7
Leg 6: 4, 6, 8
Leg 7: 1, 2, 10
PICK 6
R2016
Leg 1: 4, 8, 9
Leg 2: 1, 7
Leg 3: 3, 4, 6, 7
Leg 4: 1, 4, 7
Leg 5: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Leg 6: 1, 2, 6, 10
JACKPOT 1
R168
Leg 1: 1, 7
Leg 2: 3, 4, 6, 7
Leg 3: 1, 4, 7
Leg 4: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
JACKPOT 2
R336
Leg 1: 3, 4, 6, 7
Leg 2: 1, 4, 7
Leg 3: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Leg 4: 1, 2, 6, 10