Jockey Rachel Venniker has been in fine form this season. The young rider is now a fully fledged jockey but still retains her 1.5kg which has been given to any female jockey.
But Venniker is happy to go out there and show the boys they do not intimidate her and that she is their equal.
She is now stable jockey for trainer Michael Roberts and on Sunday at Hollywoodbets Scottsville Venniker look to be heading for a big day.
Future Flo stands out as her best ride in Race 2, a Maiden Plate over 1600m. While bred for further the Futura gelding was unlucky to be touched off over the track and trip last month after running many decent races over distances short of his best.
He overcame a wide draw, but it was more his habit of hanging that cost him when beaten a neck by well-supported Night Jar. Main rival Wyatt’s Choice is improving but was more than two lengths behind Future Flo in the above-mentioned race and will have his work cut out, so the race looks thin.
Pongola (Race 5) and Shona Kirsty Yves (Race 6) look to be on the up and could also run big races for Venniker and Roberts but the former needs to up his game at this venue and the latter’s worry is the longer distance which she tries for the first time. But Philispiel (Race 7) and Flying The Star (Race 8) should have no excuses for the team.
Flying The Star is another who has gone from gun to tape without coming up for air at this venue. More of a value selection, she has been holding form since July 2023 but was unlucky on the Polytrack when finishing best of all, only to be beaten a neck. She was squeezed at the start then but back at her best track it is easy to envisage her getting her just reward.
She looks to be on another hard-to-beat horse in El Dante but this time for trainer MJ Odendaal in Race 4, an MR 78 Handicap over 1600m.
El Dante won two of his last three over this distance but was a bit unlucky the going came up quite soft as it allowed Cyber Time to get the better of him last time.
He can be expected to turn it around as he is 10kg better off with Cyber Time for a 3.10-length beating and if the going is a bit faster he will be difficult to catch.
Jack Milner’s selections
Race 1: 5 Run To Rio, 2 Send Me, 3 Fire Tonic, 10 Richardthefearless
Race 2: 7 Future Flo, 5 Wyatt's Choice, 6 Imaginable, 4 Player X
Race 3: 3 Querari's Dream, 2 Mayor Of Merrivale, 7 Noble Warrior, 1 Power Star
Race 4: 3 El Dante, 5 Flag Man, 1 Jazz Festival, 6 Forest Jump
Race 5: 2 Ibutho, 4 Pongola, 6 Papa C, 3 Kaygee's Delight,
Race 6: 4 Miss Gibson, 1 Im The Buzz, 6 Theappleofmyeye, 3 Shona Kirsty Yves
Race 7: 6 Jet Legacy, 7 Philispiel, 2 Bless Me Fred, 4 Shot Of Courage
Race 8: 7 Flying The Star, 6 Swiss Paradise, 8 Sky Cafe, 2 Chelsea Flower
BEST BET
Race 3 No 3 Querari's Dream
VALUE BET
Race 5 No 2 Ibutho
BEST SWINGER
Race 2 5x7
BIPOT
R256
Leg 1: 2, 3, 5, 10
Leg 2: 5, 7
Leg 3: 3
Leg 4: 3, 5
Leg 5: 2, 3, 4, 6
Leg 6: 1, 3, 4, 6
PLACE ACCUMULATOR
R162
Leg 1: 7
Leg 2: 3
Leg 3: 3, 5
Leg 4: 2, 4, 6
Leg 5: 1, 4, 6
Leg 6: 2, 6, 7
Leg 7: 6, 7, 8
PICK 6
R640
Leg 1: 3
Leg 2: 3, 5
Leg 3: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6
Leg 4: 1, 3, 4, 6
Leg 5: 2, 4, 6, 7
Leg 6: 2, 6, 7, 8
JACKPOT 1
R160
Leg 1: 3, 5
Leg 2: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6
Leg 3: 1, 3, 4, 6
Leg 4: 2, 4, 6, 7
JACKPOT 2
R320
Leg 1: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6
Leg 2: 1, 3, 4, 6
Leg 3: 2, 4, 6, 7
Leg 4: 2, 6, 7, 8