Jack Milner
Celestial City appears to be another horse who has taken a liking to the Inside track at Turffontein.
Bred in the purple, this son of Silvano was one of the most expensive yearlings ever bought at a sale in South Africa and is a full brother to Hawwaam who was trained by Mike de Kock. However, he had his issues and there were rumours being bandied about that Celestial City would never see a racecourse.
Different trainers were tried before his owner settled on Sean Tarry – and that proved to be the right move. It was Tarry who patiently worked with Celestial City and sorted out whatever problems he may have had.
Finally, in November last year, he made his racecourse debut. Already a four-year-old Tarry had few expectations but said he would not be surprised if the horse won.
He did.
The colt produced a storming finish to win going away, beating Top Sail by 0.50 lengths on the Turffontein Inside track.
Celestial City turned into a model of consistency as he followed that up with three consecutive second places and then a third place, on either the Turffontein Standside track or the Vaal Classic course.
After the three second placings, Tarry tried him in blinkers and first time out sporting them, he ran third. That was over 2000m and he perhaps he found that a touch too far.
However, Tarry then brought him back to 1600m and this time, back on the Turffontein Inside track, it produced a second victory – quite an impressive one, in fact.
He came from off them once again and went on to beat Toffas by 1.80 lengths.
The pair will meet again on Tuesday in Race 6, a MR 84 Handicap over 1800m on the Inside Turffontein track. This time Toffas will be 2.5kg better off and on paper should turn that result around, but the authority of Celestial City’s victory gives one the feeling he still had quite a bit in hand on that occasion.
In addition, Candice Dawson’s charge tries 1800m for the first time and one is not sure he will benefit from the additional 200m.
The jockey arrangements are the same as last time – Kabelo Matsunyane rides Celestial City while Keagan de Melo is aboard Toffas – and while Tarry’s charge may not match the heights achieved by his brother Hawwaam or half-brothers Rainbow Bridge and Golden Ducat, he is turning into a decent enough performer who gives his supporters an honest run every time.
Jack Milner’s selections
Race 1: 2 Copper John, 4 Max The Magician, 6 Moola Man, 10 Tenstar
Race 2: 10 Red Hot Rose, 7 Love Song, 8 Miss Shaivi, 5 Komesans Passion
Race 3: 1 Heart Of Eternity, 5 Convocation, 4 Storm Jewel, 3 Look To The Stars
Race 4: 7 Edward Rye, 11 Smelting, 6 Saka Gold, 4 Magic Prince
Race 5: 3 White Fang, 4 Arlington Action, 2 Imperial Master, 6 Banha Bridge
Race 6: 2 Celestial City, 3 Toffas, 4 Twin Turbo, 5 Home Of The Brave
Race 7: 1 Oyster King, 10 Gregor Macgregor, 3 Wind Sock, 6 Eagle Alley
Race 8: 2 Southern Skies, 3 Lucy In The Sky, 6 Moraine, 7 Golden Aspen
Race 9: 6 Mother Of Pearl, 5 Lollapalooza, 1 Tayooba, 2 Berengaria
Race 10: 1 Whatyouwaitingfor, 3 Meteoric, 2 Lil Miss Moneybags, 6 Coldhardstare,
BEST BET
Race 8 No 2 Southern Skies
VALUE BET
Race 1 No 2 Copper John
BEST SWINGER
Race 6 2x3
BIPOT
R320
Leg 1: 7, 10
Leg 2: 1, 5
Leg 3: 4, 6, 7, 11
Leg 4: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Leg 5: 2
Leg 6: 1, 3, 6, 10
PLACE ACCUMULATOR
R192
Leg 1: 1
Leg 2: 6, 7, 11
Leg 3: 2, 3, 4, 6
Leg 4: 2
Leg 5: 1, 3, 6, 10
Leg 6: 2
Leg 7: 1, 4, 5, 6
PICK 6
R1800
Leg 1: 4, 6, 7, 10, 11
Leg 2: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Leg 3: 2, 3
Leg 4: 1, 3, 4, 6, 10, 12
Leg 5: 2
Leg 6: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
JACKPOT 1
R60
Leg 1: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Leg 2: 2, 3
Leg 3: 1, 3, 4, 6, 10, 12
Leg 4: 2
JACKPOT 2
R180
Leg 1: 1, 3, 4, 6, 10, 12
Leg 2: 2
Leg 3: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Leg 4: 1, 2, 3, 5, 6