Jack Milner: Jockey Greg Cheyne has been on a short suspension and in all likelihood, missed out on a winning ride or two in Port Elizabeth.
However, the local champion jockey is back in the irons on Tuesday and looks to have another winning engagement with Regimental in Race 7, a MR 78 Handicap over 1200m on the Polytrack.
Regimental had his first start for the Alan Greeff yard in February and was a touch unlucky not to win that start over 1000m because he lost ground at the start and was hampered in the running. Nevertheless, he still managed to finish fourth, beaten just 0.80 lengths.
The Captain Al gelding has been very good since then, scoring three times. The first two were on the turf track but last time he was given his first outing on the Polytrack which was over 1200m, and he strode away impressively to beat Chainsaw by 1.75 lengths. A winner has come from that form line.
Those three wins have come at a cost of nine points added to his merit rating so, although he will need to be at his best to score again, the manner in which he won on the Polytrack indicates there is a lost more to come.
Blue Duchess is another who has taken to the Polytrack and is unbeaten on the surface, winning her last five starts.
The way the daughter of Duke Of Marmalade won her last start suggests she has every chance of extending her unbeaten Polytrack run in Race 2, a MR 90 Handicap over 1200m.
However, this will be the first time Gavin Smith’s charge will be taking on the colts so, with 60.5kg on her back and conceding weight to all but Tarsus, this will be her biggest test.
Jack Milner’s selections
Race 1: 7 Silent Observer, 8 Surfer Babe, 5 Ladonna Mia, 3 Derecho Race 2: 2 Blue Duchess, 4 Wolfgang, 1 Tarsus, 6 Intrepid Traveller Race 3: 2 Highway Star, 3 Burnt Horizon, 12 Cape Batis, 4 Kings Fort Race 4: 1 Queen Louise, 4 Inbetween Dreams, 3 Elusive Zoe, 6 Red White And Blue Race 5: 1 Reach For The Line, 2 Capernaum, 3 Mary Lee, 9 Zig Zag Race 6: 1 Lady Catherine, 7 Escape To Vegas, 8 Valeriana, 3 Red Berry Race 7: 1 Regimental, 2 Var’s Boy, 8 Elegant General, 4 Alpha Pappa Race 8: 4 Rimini, 5 Natural Jade, 1 Soller, 3 Nu Bell