Jack Milner: Trainer Paul Peter has The Contractor in the peak of condition and despite some intimidating weight turnarounds, he still looks the runner to beat in Race 7 at Turffontein on Monday, a MR 94 Handicap over 1600m on the Inside track.
The three-year-old Time Thief gelding joined the Peter yard in March and made his debut in a MR 80 Handicap over 1160m at Turffontein where he found some betting support. However, although racing up with the pace, he faded late to run a five-length fifth behind Royal Wulff.
That turned out to be a particularly potent form line as five winners have come out of it, one of them being The Contractor. Peter then put his charge over 1600m and he kicked on nicely to beat Nebraas by one length.
He has since followed that up with two more victories, over 1450m and 1600m respectively. Interestingly, The Contractor particularly has a penchant for the Inside track where he has raced five times for three wins and a third place.
Those successes have resulted in his merit rating rising from 86 to 97 and it will be interesting to see whether he can keep up the winning streak as two off his rivals are now weighted to turn the tables.
In his last start, which was over this course and distance, The Contractor beat Nordic Rebel by 1.25 lengths with Dark Tide another neck back in third. Both are now 2.5kg better off and on paper, that should be enough to reverse the form.
However, the question one needs to answer is how much did The Contractor still have in his tank? He did appear to have the race wrapped up a long way from home and could have had more to offer had he been asked to find it.
As a result, The Contractor could well go on to win his fourth successive start, but it should be a lot closer this time.
Dark Tide ran on best of all from the widest draw last time and looks the runner to chase The Contractor home and reverse his position with Nordic Rebel.
One runner who could upset them all is Ballon D’Or from the Sean Tarry stable. He carries just 54.5kg, has Lyle Hewitson up and will be wearing blinkers for the first time.
Jack Milner’s selections
Race 1: Fort Commander, Talladega, Confessor, Heart Of Harlem
Race 2: Abalus, Cheringoma, Courante, Hollywoodbound, Run For Isla
Race 3: Ultra Quick, Arkaan, Frontline Fighter, Run For The Sun, Spring Will Come
Race 4: Pick A Lily, Silvery Blue, Runaway Princess, Lil Wahoo, Dancing Arabian
Race 5: White Fang, Ration My Passion, Twice The Act, Chevron, Smiley River
Race 6: Laird Of Breedon, Master Of Law, Katzenthal, Enigma Code, Strong Casha
Race 7: The Contractor, Dark Tide, Nordic Rebel, Ballon D’Or, Global Ash
Race 8: Barneys Pride, Double Martini, Sea Ways, Tight Five, Back To Black
BEST BET
Race 3 No 10 Ultra Quick
VALUE BET
Race 5 No 2 White Fang
BEST SWINGER
Race 1 1×7
BIPOT
R243
Leg 1: 1, 2, 7
Leg 2: 1, 3, 5
Leg 3: 10
Leg 4: 3, 11, 12
Leg 5: 2, 4, 8
Leg 6: 2, 6, 9
PLACE ACCUMULATOR
R162
Leg 1: 1, 3
Leg 2: 10
Leg 3: 3, 11, 12
Leg 4: 2, 4, 8
Leg 5: 2, 6, 9
Leg 6: 1
Leg 7: 4, 9, 11
PICK 6
R1250
Leg 1: 10
Leg 2: 1, 3, 5, 11, 12
Leg 3: 2, 4, 7, 8, 9
Leg 4: 2, 4, 6, 8, 9
Leg 5: 1, 4
Leg 6: 1, 4, 7, 9, 11
JACKPOT 1
R250
Leg 1: 1, 3, 5, 11, 12
Leg 2: 2, 4, 7, 8, 9
Leg 3: 2, 4, 6, 8, 9
Leg 4: 1, 4
JACKPOT 2
R250
Leg 1: 2, 4, 7, 8, 9
Leg 2: 2, 4, 6, 8, 9
Leg 3: 1, 4
Leg 4: 1, 4, 7, 9, 11