Bjorn Ironside weighted to win at Turffontein

Jack Milner

The scratching of talented Tintin from Race 5 has paved the way for Bjorn Ironside to add another victory to his tally in this Graduation Plate over 1450m on the Turffontein Inside track on Thursday.

Trained by Johan Janse van Vuuren, this four-year-old gelding comes into this race as the best weighted runner by quite a large margin. In fact, the son of Gimmethegreenlight is at least 9kg better handicapped based on official merit ratings that any of his opposition.

He comes off a decent second behind talented filly Rifle Queen over 1160m at Turffontein and looks to be a banker in all bets.

The only concern is the distance so far, his two victories have come over 1160m and 1200m respectively but in fairness, his two tries over further came in the Grade 1 Cape Guineas and a Progress Plate over 1400m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth.

This is far weaker opposition and he has already won over 1200m on this track.

Keagan de Melo takes the ride

Race 3 presents an opportunity for Major Arcana, whose form suggests a maiden win is imminent. The lightly raced four-year-old caught the eye when runner-up on debut and confirmed that ability when bouncing back from a below-par run to finish second again after a 16-week break. That comeback effort should have tightened the screws and Roy Magner’s charge looks poised to go one better under Muzi Yeni.

Race 9 could see Status stamp himself as a horse worth following through the grades. The Tony Peter-trained gelding confirmed the promise of his debut third with a dominant front-running win over 1600m when returning from a lengthy absence (as a gelding).

By The United States, the four-year-old should relish the step up to 1800m and looks the type who could prove well treated by the handicapper.

Jack Milner’s selections

Race 1: 3 Vixeninthevineyard, 1 Twelfth Of Never, 4 Cool Reggae, 2 Blood Of Eden

Race 2: 3 Samuel Sharpe, 2 Terrence, 1 Royale Jacket, 4 Lance Alot

Race 3: 2 Major Arcana, 7 Brigitte Anne, 9 Wispinthewillow, 5 Tiger's Captain

Race 4: 8 Miss River Dancer, 11 Trip Of Faith, 10 Takeachanceonme, 3 Gathering Winter

Race 5: 1 Bjorn Ironside, 4 Father Christmas, 5 Drivelikeamaster, 6 Zip Code

Race 6: 5 Warning Light, 3 Paul Revere, 6 Fostinovo, 4 Sutherland

Race 7: 8 Sunset Warrior, 1 Single Combat, 3 Southampton, 4 Kambati

Race 8: 3 Elusive Red, 7 Winds Of Grace, 2 Unsolved Riddle, 4 Brave Viking

Race 9: 2 Status, 7 Carnelo, 1 Repetition, 3 Itsnowornever

BEST BET

Race 5: 1 Bjorn Ironside

VALUE BET

Race 7: 8 Sunset Warrior

BEST SWINGER

Race 3 2x7

BIPOT

R288

Leg 1: 1, 2, 3

Leg 2: 2, 7

Leg 3: 8, 10, 11

Leg 4: 1

Leg 5: 3, 4, 5, 6

Leg 6: 1, 3, 4, 8

PLACE ACCUMULATOR

R216

Leg 1: 2, 7

Leg 2: 8, 11

Leg 3: 1

Leg 4: 3, 5, 6

Leg 5: 1, 3, 8

Leg 6: 2, 3

Leg 7: 2, 4, 7

PICK 6

R1500m

Leg 1: 3, 8, 10, 11

Leg 2: 1

Leg 3: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

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

Leg 5: 2, 3, 4, 7, 9

Leg 6: 2, 4, 7

JACKPOT 1

R150

Leg 1: 1

Leg 2: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

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

Leg 4: 2, 3, 4, 7, 9

JACKPOT 2

R450

Leg 1: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

Leg 2: 1, 3, 4, 5, 8

Leg 3: 2, 3, 4, 7, 9

Leg 4: 2, 4, 7