Jack Milner: Western Fort was well supported to make a winning comeback after gelding last time, but two things worked against him – wrong distance, wrong course.
He raced in a Pinnacle Stakes over 2600m on the Turffontein Inside track and finished a 4.50-length fourth behind Factor Fifty. But he failed to find anything extra over the final 200m on a course that does not really suit his style of running.
In Race 7 at the Vaal on Thursday, a Progress Plate over 2000m on the Classic track, the stars should align for Paul Peter’s charge.
What did come out of his last race is that since gelding, Western Fort has stopped his habit of ducking out sharply when coming under pressure. That is what cost him a victory in his last start over the course and distance – coupled with a saddle slip – which saw the son of Elusive Fort go down a neck to Diorama.
Warren Kennedy is back on board and this horse looks the best bet on the card.
Stable companion Sworder Street raced in Durban on Sunday and has been nominated to run in the Listed Java Handicap over 2400m on 31 October so it came as no surprise that he has been withdrawn from this event.
The best handicapped runner is Corne Spies-trained Snow Palace who has a merit rating of 104. However, while she has run in fillies’ features, her only placed performance was a 3.60-length fourth behind Running Brave in the Grade 2 Gold Bracelet over 2000m at Greyville.
She was given a 3.5kg penalty for that performance.
With Piere Strydom up one has to give her the utmost respect and while she might not be able to beat Western Fort, it will come as a surprise if she does not finish in the first three.
Jack Milner’s selections
Race 1: 3 Riveting, 6 Lady Of The Flame, 1 Spectral, 9 Divine Isadora
Race 2: 11 Voyeur, 4 Marrakech, 3 Harry’s Secret, 8 Battle Force
Race 3: 6 Al Aasy, 9 Master Uletide, 11 Emerald Floe, 1 Ash
Race 4: 2 Bitter Wind, 1 Pin Up, 10 Suntrax, 9 Runaround Sue
Race 5: 9 Fly North, 2 Secrets Of Maya, 4 Fire Flower, 4 Mazari
Race 6: 1 Lily Blue, 5 Now You See Me, 9 Toto, 7 Ululate
Race 7: 1 Western Fort, 4 Snow Palace, 7 Imperial Master, 3 Sell High
Race 8: 9 Kokeshi, 5 Consol Queen, 7 The Sash, 1 Jacko Boy
Race 9: 2 Gold Rock, 13 Perfect Light, 1 Lord Melbourne, 4 Drummer Dude
BEST BET
Race 7 No 1 Western Fort
VALUE BET
Race 5 No 9 Fly North
BEST SWINGER
Race 4 1×2
BIPOT
R192
Leg 1: 3, 4, 11
Leg 2: 6, 9
Leg 3: 1, 2
Leg 4: 2, 3, 4, 9
Leg 5: 1, 5, 7, 9
Leg 6: 1
PLACE ACCUMULATOR
R288
Leg 1: 6, 9
Leg 2: 1, 2
Leg 3: 2, 3, 9
Leg 4: 1, 5, 9
Leg 5: 1
Leg 6: 5, 9
Leg 7: 1, 2, 4, 13
PICK 6
R1120
Leg 1: 1, 2
Leg 2: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 14
Leg 3: 1, 5, 7, 9
Leg 4: 1
Leg 5: 1, 5, 7, 9
Leg 6: 1, 2, 4, 6, 13
JACKPOT 1
R112
Leg 1: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 14
Leg 2: 1, 5, 7, 9
Leg 3: 1
Leg 4: 1, 5, 7, 9
JACKPOT 2
R80
Leg 3: 1, 5, 7, 9
Leg 4: 1
Leg 5: 1, 5, 7, 9
Leg 6: 1, 2, 4, 6, 13