| Stuart Pettigrew’s charge was literally the talk of the town, and the money was wagered to match all the chatter. He was easy to back at around 7-1 when the betting opened but by the time the gates opened and the field was sent home, the Silvano gelding was trading at 2-1.
Sadly for all his supporters Castletown did not win, but he did not run badly either, running on strongly to finish fifth, beaten 1.60 lengths by Waterberry Lane.
He did not race again as a juvenile but he will get a chance to prove that form all wrong in Race 2 at Turffontein on Sunday, a Graduation Plate for three-year-olds over 1400m on the Standside track.
Although he has only run twice, Castletown has done enough to impress the handicappers and as a result, he come into this event as the best handicapped runner by at least 5kg.
He did win his maiden at Turffontein on debut but that was on the Inside track. However, based on the way he was making up ground at Greyville last time Castletown should enjoy the longer run-in this time.
Pettigrew is an astute trainer and if he rates a horse highly one needs to take note. As a result, Castletown has to be better than his last run and should be very hard to oppose on this occasion.
Keagan de Melo takes the ride.
Winter With Jo is a two-time winner and stands out as runner to follow Castletown home. The Paul Peter-trained colt is trained at Turffontein and has run all of his races on this track.
What is relevant is that both of his victories have been over this track and trip and while he looks quite decent and is open to quite a lot of improvement, he could battle to give 3kg and a beating to Castletown.
Warren Kennedy has ridden him to victory in a Maiden Plate and he takes the trip from Durban to ride at this meeting, predominantly for the Peter stable.
Jack Milner’s selections
Race 1: 10 Slings And Arrows, 11 Val D’Orcia, 8 Masuulka, 2 Samuel Salt
Race 2: 2 Castletown, 1 Winter With Jo, 5 Zuzan, 4 Look Yourself
Race 3: 1 Stay The Course, 2 Quality Joker, 3 Admiral Dooley, 5 My Master
Race 4: 6 Indigo Winter, 1 Fort Snow, 2 Willow Lane, 3 Burmese Tiara
Race 5: 5 Jumeirah Gold, 3 My Kingdom, 1 Grimaldi, 6 Willo’Thewisp
Race 6: 2 Mariposa, 1 Western Dance, 3 Senescence, 7 Tinder Dry
Race 7: 2 Lucy In The Sky, 1 Double ‘O’ Eight, 5 Feather The Nest, 7 Hear The Trumpet
Race 8: 5 Florida Keys, 8 Capetown Affair, 4 Dark Travel, 1 Top Wesselton
BEST BET
Race 2 No 2 Castletown
VALUE BET
Race 5 No 5 Jumeirah Gold
BEST SWINGER
Race 2 1×2
BIPOT
R324
Leg 1: 2, 8, 10, 11
Leg 2: 2
Leg 3: 1, 2, 3
Leg 4: 1, 2, 6
Leg 5: 1, 3, 5
Leg 6: 1, 2, 3
PLACE ACCUMULATOR
R243
Leg 1: 2
Leg 2: 1, 2, 3
Leg 3: 1, 2, 6
Leg 4: 1, 3, 5
Leg 5: 1, 2, 3
Leg 6: 2
Leg 7: 4, 5, 8
PICK 6
R2000
Leg 1: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Leg 2: 1, 2, 3, 6
Leg 3: 1, 2, 3, 5, 6
Leg 4: 1, 2, 3, 7
Leg 5: 2
Leg 6: 1, 2, 4, 5, 8
JACKPOT 1
R96
Leg 1: 1, 2, 3, 6
Leg 2: 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7
Leg 3: 1, 2, 3, 7
Leg 4: 2
JACKPOT 2
R144
Leg 1: 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7
Leg 2: 1, 2, 3, 7
Leg 3: 2
Leg 4: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8
|