Chance for Van Niekerk to get off the mark

Chance for Van Niekerk to get off the mark

Jack Milner

There are only seven races at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on Thursday and Grant van Niekerk can start off the new season with a couple of wins.

Richard Fourie’s decision to freelance has presented Van Niekerk with the opportunity to establish himself as the stable jockey for Justin Snaith’s powerful racing operation and he is likely to make hay while the sun shines.

He rides a first-timer for the Snaith yard in Race 1 but whatever the fate of Magic Verse, Van Niekerk should get off the mark in Race 2, a Maiden Plate for fillies and mares over 1250m where he is aboard Sun Spectacular.

This Master Of My Fate filly confirmed the promise of her debut by finishing a close-up fourth last time and she is likely to open her account if making further progress. She stands out as the best bet on the card.

Gimmethelimelight has improved in both of her starts under Van Niekerk, who steered the filly to a fast-finishing second over 1400m last time, and there’s no reason to suggest that Snaith’s charge won’t build on that progress in Race 5, an Open Maiden for fillies and mares over the same distance.

Jack Milner’s selections

Race 1: 7 Boogiefied, 3 Magic Verse, 4 In The Bag, 8 Bella's Pablo

Race 2: 7 Sun Spectacular, 6 Nordic Quest, 9 Pinstripe, 5 Princess Izzy

Race 3: 5 Candy Town, 3 Look Forward, 2 Hanging Rock, 9 Witblits

Race 4: 3 Winter Rainfall, 1 Porque Te Vas, 6 Musical Arts, 7 Where's The Party

Race 5: 8 Gimmethelimelight, 5 Charlene, 10 Go Like Flo, 2 Windrunner

Race 6: 3 Among The Clouds, 8 Seeking Peace, 2 Cattaleya, 7 Kamakazi

Race 7: 6 Winter Pearl, 2 Kimball O'Hara, 3 Captive Moon, 9 Toureiro

BEST BET

Race 2 No 7 Sun Spectacular

VALUE BET

Race 7 No 6 Winter Pearl

BEST SWINGER

Race 3 3x5

BIPOT

R162

Leg 1: 3, 4, 7

Leg 2: 7

Leg 3: 3, 5

Leg 4: 1, 3, 6

Leg 5: 5, 8, 10

Leg 6: 2, 3, 8

PLACE ACCUMULATOR

R162

Leg 1: 7

Leg 2: 7

Leg 3: 3, 5

Leg 4: 1, 3, 6

Leg 5: 5, 8, 10

Leg 6: 2, 3, 8

Leg 7: 2, 3, 6

PICK 6

R768

Leg 1: 7

Leg 2: 2, 3, 8, 9

Leg 3: 1, 3, 6, 7

Leg 4: 5, 8, 10

Leg 5: 2, 3, 7, 8

Leg 6: 2, 3, 6, 9

JACKPOT 1

R192

Leg 1: 2, 3, 8, 9

Leg 2: 1, 3, 6, 7

Leg 3: 5, 8, 10

Leg 4: 2, 3, 7, 8

JACKPOT 2

R192

Leg 1: 1, 3, 6, 7

Leg 2: 5, 8, 10

Leg 3: 2, 3, 7, 8

Leg 4: 2, 3, 6, 9