Cape Eagle looks best in Michael Roberts Stakes

Jack Milner

It is the Michael Roberts raceday at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Sunday which includes the headline act – the Listed Michael Roberts Stakes over 1750m. And while the legendary jockey-turned-trainer, after whom the raceday is named, usually has runners in just about all the races, this time, he doesn’t have a runner in the headline act.

He did, however, appear to have the best bet on the card with Isn’t She Bonny in Race 4 but sadly she had to be pulled out owing to an abscess on her near hind.

While trainer Andre Nel has had a tough season so far, Cape Eagle has been shining brightly in KwaZulu-Natal. The gelded son of Vercingetorix has been enjoying himself up front winning three of his last four races and he could be difficult to catch once again.

He may go on to land the Michael Roberts Stakes – a conditions race –but all of Back To Black, Dawnofanewday, News Stream, Fight Song and Queue Wing are strong contenders who he meets for the first time.

The main threat to Cape Eagle could well be Back To Black who has done well since joining Paul Lafferty’s yard in KwaZulu-Natal

Muzi Yeni takes the ride this time and he is confident of a big run from his mount. “He won a lovely race last time over a distance way short of his best and because of that I make him my value bet on the card.

“I really believe he will be better over the longer trip and this is a lovely opportunity for him to get a Listed race under his belt,” Yeni wrote in his weekly column in The Citizen on Saturday morning.

Dawnofanewday ran a lovely race in her last start and rates a definite danger.

News Stream loves this track and is a winner over the course and distance. In fact, four of his six wins have been at Scottsville so one cannot ignore the chances of Mark Dixon’s charge.

Queue Wing won very well last time out and looks like his matured so he must be included and respected.

Jack Milner’s selections

Race 1: 3 Lucia Poppova, 2 Cry Freedom, 5 Luck Of The Iris, 1 La Dreamer

Race 2: 1 Paris Rain, 8 Harley Street, 15 Arverni King, 11 Zabadak

Race 3: 2 Twice The Trinity, 8 Super Fast, 4 Axel Collins, 1 Gold Ensign

Race 4: 14 Swiss Paradise, 2 Aditi, 11 Variety Fair, 12 Rio Supremo

Race 5: 2 Sunday Island, 8 Tom Bombadil, 10 Capetown Beauty, 5 Run To Denmark

Race 6: 6 Cape Eagle, 4 Back To Black, 12 News Stream, 8 Dawnofanewday

Race 7: 6 Northern Warrior, 1 Tribute To You, 14 Music Is Life, 13 October Song

Race 8: 6 Winter Baron, 12 Sabatini, 13 Princekresh, 8 Stanley Park

BEST BET

Race 4 No 14 Swiss Paradise

VALUE BET

Race 7 No 6 Northern Warrior

BEST SWINGER

Race 3 2x8

BIPOT

R288

Leg 1: 2, 3, 8

Leg 2: 1, 8, 15

Leg 3: 2, 8

Leg 4: 14

Leg 5: 2, 5, 8, 10

Leg 6: 4, 6, 8, 12

PLACE ACCUMULATOR

R162

Leg 1: 1, 8, 15

Leg 2: 2, 8

Leg 3: 4

Leg 4: 2, 8, 10

Leg 5: 4, 6, 12

Leg 6: 1, 6, 14

Leg 7: 6

PICK 6

R1125

Leg 1: 2, 4, 8

Leg 2: 14

Leg 3: 2, 5, 8, 9, 10

Leg 4: 4, 6, 7, 8, 12

Leg 5: 1, 4, 6, 13, 14

Leg 6: 6, 12, 13

JACKPOT 1

R125

Leg 1: 14

Leg 2: 2, 5, 8, 9, 10

Leg 3: 4, 6, 7, 8, 12

Leg 4: 1, 4, 6, 13, 14

JACKPOT 2

R375

Leg 1: 2, 5, 8, 9, 10

Leg 2: 4, 6, 7, 8, 12

Leg 3: 1, 4, 6, 13, 14

Leg 4: 6, 12, 13