Jack Milner: The rain across the Highveld could not have come at a better time for Rebel’s Champ as this six-year-old loves wet conditions.
His record in the wet reads 12 starts, three wins and four places.
The second thing he loves is racing over 1000m. Seven of his nine victories have come over minimum trip and he has also placed on a further seven occasions.
So, put him in a Pinnacle Stakes over 1000m at the Vaal where the going is likely to have at least a bit of give in it, and you end up with a pretty decent betting opportunity.
When he runs in Race 6 on the Classic track tomorrow, he also comes in as the second-best weighted runner behind Rivarene. However, Rivarene’s merit rating was raised 17 points (8.5kg) after his win in the Grade 1 Computaform Sprint over 1000m at Turffontein in June and it is uncertain whether that form will hold up. So far there have been no follow-up wins from 11 runners.
Gavin Lerena has not yet won on this son of Rebel King but has only ridden him four times and has placed twice on him.
Trainer Paul Peter actually has a strong hand in this race as he also saddles American Hustle and Chief Of State. The latter has notched up three wins over 1000m and if one ignores his last run at Greyville where he did not feature on the Polytrack, this Toreador gelding must come into the reckoning.
This will be his third run after a layoff and he does go well for champion apprentice Luke Ferraris who has ridden him four times for two wins.
St John Gray’s stable is running as hot as the Kalahari in the peak of summer. He sends out Old Man Tyme who, with 54kg on his back, must be respected. He was beaten just 0.75 lengths by lightly weighted Ring Of Fire on the Inside track at Turffontein last time but three runs back at the Vaal he won by six lengths.
Lyle Hewitson takes the ride.
It is almost three years since Pack Leader last won a race, but he was always highly regarded by former trainer Glen Kotzen. The six-year-old son of Philanthropist has recently joined Alec Laird Randjesfontein string and hopefully his new environment revitalises the gelding.
He has run against the best in the land over the past few years and comes into Race 8, a Graduation Plate over 1600m, as the best handicapped runner.
If close to his best Pack Leader should have too much potency for this field. S’manga Khumalo takes the ride.
Jack Milner’s selections
Race 1: 3 Hurricane Hedley, 8 Love Lies, 10 The Bastille, 7 Durban Boy
Race 2: 6 Sea Ways, 1 Quattro Passi, 13 Vadnaan, 2 Local Knowledge
Race 3: 10 Only The Brave, 9 Make A Penny, 13 Tinders Choice, 8 Lhasa Star