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