Captain Fontane to get back in the winners’ enclosure

Captain Fontane was all packed up and ready fly off to Hong Kong when the Covid pandemic hit, and the plans had to be scuppered.

He has run two close seconds in his last two starts but back at Hollywoodbets Scottsville, his favourite track, on Sunday, Garth Puller’s charge stands out in Race 5, a Pinnacle Plate over 1100m, which boasts a fantastic line up.

Ashton Arries is back in the irons on Captain Fontane. He has not ridden the son of Captain Al since September last year but he is unbeaten aboard Captain Fontane in two starts.

On a really tricky card the five-year-old gelding could be the best banker on the day.

The main threat is likely to come from Michael Miller-trained Party Time.

Sunday sees the first of KwaZulu-Natal’s juvenile races of the season and these are always good fun but more importantly races its where good profits can be made, especially when the betting support comes.

In Race 1, a scurry over 800m, Miller (who has a great record in juvenile contests) sends out five runners and sounds particularly bullish about Sovereign Grant. He has commented positively on all of his charges, but that Sovereign Grant is one very smart filly.

However, the pedigrees of Teerex and Riverstone are also loaded with quality and the betting needs to be closely watched. Teerex runs for Kom Naidoo who is also a dab hand at preparing precocious youngsters for their debuts and he may have a distinct advantage of having the best of the draws.

Gavin Van Zyl is the conditioner of Riverstone who is a half-brother to Grade 2 winner Firealley.

In Race 2, a Maiden Plate for fillies and mares over 1200m, there could well be a bit of value about the chances of Cinnamon Blush. She is one to be wary of as she misbehaves and probably runs out of energy as a result, but she didn’t play up after a rest last time and perhaps her yard has worked her out.

She will strip fitter and has taken up what is usually the best gate – stall No 1 – at Hollywoodbets Scottsville especially if the track is running fast.

Daddy’s Jet surprised her connections running into the money on debut at odds of 40-1 and she may jump a false favourite today.

Jack Milner's selections

Race 1: 1 Teerex, 11 Sovereign Grant, 4 Jet Bund, 13 Riverstone
Race 2: 1 Cinnamon Blush, 6 Daddy's Jet, 2 Rio Supremo, 7 A Time To Dance
Race 3: 9 Fortune Bay, 7 I've Got Wings, 3 Tabatha Cat, 2 St Cloud
Race 4: 2 Axel Collins, 10 Swiss Paradise, 7 Last Survivor, 9 Twice The Trinity
Race 5: 10 Captain Fontane, 1 Party Time, 9 Spydas Corner, 8 Naarah
Race 6: 2 Lucky Miss, 4 Meet At The George, 3 Monashada, 5 Hawker Typhoon
Race 7: 1 Rugger Bugger, 8 Son Of Zeus, 7 Beechamwood Boy, 6 Gunsmoke
Race 8: 11 Blazing Kiss, 4 Mythical Tune, 2 Cataleya Summer, 7 Adelante

BEST BET

Race 5 No 10 Captain Fontane

VALUE BET

Race 7 No 1 Rugger Bugger

BEST SWINGER

Race 2 1x6

BIPOT

R270

Leg 1: 1, 4, 6, 11, 13

Leg 2: 1, 6, 10

Leg 3: 7, 9

Leg 4: 2, 9, 10

Leg 5: 10

Leg 6: 2, 3, 4

PLACE ACCUMULATOR

R324

Leg 1: 1, 6

Leg 2: 7, 9

Leg 3: 2, 9, 10

Leg 4: 10

Leg 5: 2, 3, 4

Leg 6: 1, 7, 8

Leg 7: 2, 4, 11

PICK 6

R1250

Leg 1: 6, 9

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

Leg 3: 10

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

Leg 5: 1, 5, 6, 7, 8

Leg 6: 2, 4, 5, 7, 11

JACKPOT 1

R125

Leg 1: 2, 3, 7, 9, 10

Leg 2: 10

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

Leg 4: 1, 5, 6, 7, 8

JACKPOT 2

R125

Leg 1: 10

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

Leg 3: 1, 5, 6, 7, 8

Leg 4: 2, 4, 5, 7, 11