Cape runners have the edge at Greyville

Jack Milner

With the big events still to come, Saturday’s meeting on the turf at Hollywoodbets Greyville could be considered the calm before the storm.

The meeting is headed up by Race 4, a Pinnacle Stakes over 1400m, where some likely contenders for next month’s Grade 2 Drill Hall Stakes, also over 1400m, will be looking to stake a claim.

One runner who will be competing is Silver Operator, winner of last year’s Drill Hall Stakes. He will attempt to win the race again and so Vaughan Marshall’s charge could come in a little underdone.

Craig Zackey has picked up the ride and the pair will jump from barrier No 7.

But the sentimental money will come for Quasiforsure who lost the Jet Master Stakes over 1400m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth due to his jockey stopping to ride his mount out to the line.

Peter Muscutt’s charge is on the up and is unbeaten in two tries over the track and trip so could take advantage before he is also tested in the Drill Hall Stakes.

Muscutt had some decent individuals with him in Cape Town and while some may not have won, they showed enough to indicate they should soon get a win.

One of those is William Longsword colt Khupoliwe who had his first two ventures at Kenilworth. On debut he was supported from long odds and finished third while his next outing came in the

Listed Summer Juvenile Stakes. He may have finished 10th but was just 5.20 lengths behind winner Rascova and could be hard to beat in his return to maiden company.

Sean Veale rode him in both races in the Cape and is back on board this time. They also have the advantage of jumping from No 1 draw.

In Race 1, a Maiden Juvenile Plate over 1000m, he takes on Mia’s Athena who was all the rage on debut. She does get a 2.5kg sex allowance so could make amends.

However, Khupoliwe has had the benefit of having raced in feature company, and she could have her work cut out trying to catch him from his fortuitous gate.

It also appears as if Race 3, a Maiden Plate over 1400m, could be decided by one of two juvenile colts who have been racing in the Western Cape. Although they will be taking on their elders, such is the lack of quality of the local opposition that they should fight this out. Marshall-trained Fibonacci has had the experience of racing in Grade 3 juvenile company and jumps from gate No 1, but Streetshavenoname, who has moved from Justin Snaith to Paul Lafferty, ran second over the distance at Hollywoodbets Durbanville last time.  

Swinger and Exactas with the pair should prove profitable.

Jack Milner’s selections

Race 1: 1 Kupholiwe, 5 Mia's Athena, 2 Future Flo, 6 Thisiswhatitmeans

Race 2: 4 Jade's Caberneigh, 9 Far Horizon, 7 Willow Creek, 2 County Kildare

Race 3: 1 Fibonacci, 6 Streetshavenoname, 10 Majestic Reign, 2 Power Star

Race 4: 10 Quasiforsure, 7 Silver Operator, 9 Mr Master Starter, 5 Imilenzeyokududuma

Race 5: 6 Tizona, 3 Rosh Kedesh, 2 Patronage, 8 Pineapple Express

Race 6: 3 Cheeky Laddie, 1 Suryavarman, 6 Northern Warrior, 2 Cavalieri

Race 7: 8 Blazing Kiss, 2 Fashionigma, 10 Leopard Lady, 13 Diana The Huntress

Race 8: 6 Tom Bombadil, 14 Rock Fall, 10 Papa C, 12 Zakho

BEST BET

Race 6 No 3 Cheeky Laddie

VALUE BET

Race 8 No 6 Tom Bombadil

BEST SWINGER

Race 1 1x5

BIPOT

R72

Leg 1: 1, 5

Leg 2: 4, 7, 9

Leg 3: 1, 6

Leg 4: 7, 9, 10

Leg 5: 3, 6

Leg 6: 3

PLACE ACCUMULATOR

R216

Leg 1: 4, 9

Leg 2: 1, 6

Leg 3: 7, 9, 10

Leg 4: 3, 6

Leg 5: 3

Leg 6: 2, 8, 10

Leg 7: 6, 10, 14

PICK 6

R1400

Leg 1: 1, 2, 6, 10

Leg 2: 3, 5, 7, 9, 10

Leg 3: 3, 6

Leg 4: 3

Leg 5: 2, 4, 8, 10, 13

Leg 6: 2, 5, 6, 7, 10, 12, 14

JACKPOT 1

R50

Leg 1: 3, 5, 7, 9, 10

Leg 2: 3, 6

Leg 3: 3

Leg 4: 2, 4, 8, 10, 13

JACKPOT 2

R70

Leg 1: 3, 6

Leg 2: 3

Leg 3: 2, 4, 8, 10, 13

Leg 4: 2, 5, 6, 7, 10, 12, 14