When Captain Bombshell ran fourth as a maiden in the Grade 1 Gold Medallion as a two-year-old, horseplayers would have had their black books out, pencilling him in as the proverbial penalty kick for his next start.
But the highly regarded gelding was then entered in the Grade 2 Umkhomazi Stakes where ran a very respectable 2.60-length sixth behind Swing Upon A Star, who recently made a promising comeback when second in a race on the Highveld.
Captain Bombshell, however, is finally back on the Polytrack at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Wednesday after an 88-day layoff, taking his place in maiden company again, where he will be difficult to oppose in Race 1, a Maiden Plate over 1200m.
It comes as no surprise Peter Muscutt’s charge has been priced up at 1-4. The bookmakers are taking no chances, especially as Bevies Delight, who had arguably lesser feature-race form, romped home by 6.20 lengths at Greyville on Tuesday.
The Captain Of All three-year-old is nicely drawn at No 3 and Gavin Lerena will be in the irons.
Trainer Dean Kannemeyer is expecting a fair run from his first-timer, Medal Of Freedom, saying that ‘he is a nice type and is one for the exotics’. He won’t need to be too good to finish in the second or third so it could be worth taking Exactas and Swingers with Captain Bombshell.
One could also take a TAB All To Come with Son Of Raj in Race 5, who is also a short price but looks hard to beat.
Son Of Raj got going late on debut and looked dangerous before the line came for eventual winner Agressivo. He is drawn No 1 and has Tristan Godden in the irons.
It could be worth taking Exactas with Insightful, who improved in his second start.
Jack Milner’s selections
Race 1: 5 Captain Bombshell, 3 Medal Of Freedom, 2 Oshakati, 7 Don't Linngar
Race 2: 6 Casa Rosada, 2 Grey Ocean, 4 Preemptive Strike, 7 We All Chomies
Race 3: 5 Fashion Mistress, 2 Guest Getorixx, 3 Mia Sophia, 6 I've Got Wings
Race 4: 7 Sting Ray, 2 Magicallee, 6 Time Chaser, 4 Addiena
Race 5: 1 Son Of Raj, 8 Insightful, 4 Tommy The Kidd, 2 Girl's World
Race 6: 3 Lou Lou The Legend, 7 King Bavarian, 9 Barbatti, 2 Sir Cedrice
Race 7: 6 Tin Cup, 8 Coromandel, 9 Bend The Rules, 7 Living Waters
Race 8: 1 Priceless Ruler, 9 Tread Swiftly, 6 Bowie, Prince Of Taranto
BEST BET
Race 5 No 1 Son Of Raj
VALUE BET
Race 8 No 1 Priceless Ruler
BEST SWINGER
Race 3 2x5
BIPOT
R120
Leg 1: 5
Leg 2: 1, 2, 4, 6, 7
Leg 3: 2, 5
Leg 4: 2, 4, 6, 7
Leg 5: 1
Leg 6: 3, 7, 9
PLACE ACCUMULATOR
R216
Leg 1: 2, 4, 6
Leg 2: 2, 5
Leg 3: 2, 7
Leg 4: 1
Leg 5: 3, 7
Leg 6: 6, 8, 9
Leg 7: 1, 6, 9
PICK 6
R1512
Leg 1: 2, 3, 5
Leg 2: 2, 4, 6, 7
Leg 3: 1
Leg 4: 3, 7, 9
Leg 5: 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9
Leg 6: 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9
JACKPOT 1
R72
Leg 1: 2, 4, 6, 7
Leg 2: 1
Leg 3: 3, 7, 9
Leg 4: 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9
JACKPOT 2
R126
Leg 1: 1
Leg 2: 3, 7, 9
Leg 3: 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9
Leg 4: 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9