Chelsea Blue can get bettors off to a winning start at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Sunday when she lines up in Race 1, a Maiden Plate for fillies and mares over 1400m on the turf track and should be hard to beat.
She has been the runner-up in her last two starts an in a moderate field, the Duncan Howells-trained filly stands out as a banker in all bets.
Last time she was heavily supported having previously finished well ahead of Cataleya Summer, but the latter turned it around and beat her with frontrunning tactics.
Chelsea Blue visually appeared to be running on the spot when nevertheless making up the ground in good style but she finished fatigued.
She may have been doing too much during the race and as a result will be fitted with blinkers and so could travel a bit more easily this time. Even if the going comes up soft again she will meet a poor bunch in this Maiden Plate for fillies and mares over 1400m and should exit the maiden ranks.
It looks difficult to separate Radicchio and Super Fast in Race 2, a Maiden Plate over 1200m. The former appears a beautiful specimen but has only raced twice and has had big gaps between runs which suggests he may have some problems. He has drawn No 1 in his first run round a turn but Super Fast has drawn alongside in gate No 2, has good experience round a turn and could put aside some disappointing form to win.
All eyes will be on Captain Rocket in Race 4, a MR 80 Handicap over 1200m. He is one of legendary trainer Dennis Drier’s last runners as he is retiring. A highly regarded gelding, Captain Rocket had everything go wrong in his last start and now racing around the turn from No 1 draw appears to have much in his favour and so could validate his trainer’s high belief in him.
But the best value option on the day could be Artic Tune who runs in Race 7, a MR 84 Handicap over 1600m. This gelding was last seen charging at his field too late at Hollywoodbets Scottsville and back at his more favoured Greyville track could get the race run to suit and spearhead this field.
Interestingly, Artic Tune was once stablemate to likely favourite Wiccan Warrior who, after a promising start to his career, went to take on some of the best around in the Western Cape. The latter may just need his comeback while Camora, who has been in hot form, could find the mile trip a tad far after winning four from his last five over 1400m.
Jack Milner’s selections
Race 1: 7 Chelsea Blue, 6 Ana Noba, 8 Taste Maker, 1 Madame Zabre
Race 2: 1 Radicchio, 2 Super Fast, 9 Paris Rain, 5 Jet Legacy
Race 3: 4 Sea Of Tears, 1 Stealth Attack, 2 County Kildare, 5 Duchess Of Gold
Race 4: 1 Captain Rocket, 6 Beechamwood Boy, 7 Cupid's Song, 4 Lord Wylie
Race 5: 3 Princekresh, 7 Donquerari, 9 Renaissance Man, 1 Valiente
Race 6: 3 Approachable Lass, 5 Grandi Orecchie, 9 Kittyboys Girl, 6 I've Got Wings
Race 7: 10 Artic Tune, 3 AJ's Captain, 7 Camora, 8 Bend The Rules
Race 8: 9 Twice Golden, 8 Cyber Time, 13 Twice As Perfect, 5 Papa C
BEST BET
Race 1 No 7 Chelsea Blue
VALUE BET
Race 7 No 10 Artic Tune
BEST SWINGER
Race 2 1x2
BIPOT
R162
Leg 1: 1
Leg 2: 1, 2
Leg 3: 1, 2, 4
Leg 4: 1, 6,7
Leg 5: 3, 7, 9
Leg 6: 3, 5, 9
PLACE ACCUMULATOR
R324
Leg 1: 1
Leg 2: 1, 2, 4
Leg 3: 1, 6
Leg 4: 3, 7, 9
Leg 5: 3, 5
Leg 6: 3, 7, 10
Leg 7: 8, 9, 13
PICK 6
R1728
Leg 1: 1, 2, 4, 5
Leg 2: 1, 6, 7
Leg 3: 3, 7, 9
Leg 4: 3, 5, 9
Leg 5: 3, 7, 8, 10
Leg 6: 5, 8, 9, 13
JACKPOT 1
R108
Leg 1: 1, 6, 7
Leg 2: 3, 7, 9
Leg 3: 3, 5, 9
Leg 4: 3, 7, 8, 10
JACKPOT 2
R144
Leg 1: 3, 7, 9
Leg 2: 3, 5, 9
Leg 3: 3, 7, 8, 10
Leg 4: 5, 8, 9, 13