Denis believes regent will be crowned king

Jack Milner

Jockey Denis Schwarz is feeling confident King Regent is capable of winning Leg 3 of the of the Nelson Mandela Bay Poly Challenge at Fairview on Friday and come away with the R250,000 bonus.

Glen Kotzen’s charge has already got the first two legs – over 1200m and 1400m respectively – and will become the first horse to claim the bonus if he can win Race 6, the Nelson Mandela Bay Poly Challenge 1600.

Schwarz has ridden the five-year-old gelding and believes his mount has what it takes to close out the Challenge. “I’m feeling quite comfortable about the race,” he said yesterday.

“I’m very happy he has a good draw (No 1) and I know he likes the track. He can sometimes jump slowly, so I hope that doesn’t happen, but he is very decent.”

That, of course, is borne out by his form line. He has run against some decent horses and even has a win over 2023 Equus Horse Of The Year Princess Calla.

His victories in the first two legs came in totally different manners. In the first, over 1200m, he hit the front early in the straight and ran away from his opposition. Last time out, over 1400m, he fell to the back of the field and flew up in the straight to run down the opposition and win quite comfortably in the end.

“Last time I had a wide draw and he was slow away so we ended up at the back. But fortunately, I followed the right horse through and when I asked him, he just took off.”

There has been quite a bit of concern about the fact King Regent has not won over 1600m but that is not a concern for Schwarz. “It you look who has beaten him in those races, he hasn’t lost to any slouches. They’ve all been good horses.”

In fact, the runners that have beaten him over 1600m include Royal Aussie (1.75-lengths behind), Without Question (1.25 lengths behind) and Somerset Maugham (0.10 lengths behind).

He also did not run badly in his one attempt at 1800m in a Grade 3 event where he finished 1.10 lengths behind Itsrainingwilliam.

The son of Dynasty has only had three runs since joining the Kotzen stable and they have produced a 0.90-lengths third behind Without Question and the two victories at Fairview.

“I rode him for the first time in that race at Hollywoodbets Durbanville and I didn’t know him. I asked him to run early in the straight and I was surprised by the manner in which he quickened, and he sort of ran out of steam.

“I know him much better now, and I also know he really likes the course. The short straight really suits him.”

Cherry Ano and Inherit The Rain look to be his main dangers.

Jack Milner’s selections

Race 1: 7 Brooksider, 5 Son Of Erupt, 6 Lucky Spirit, 1 And Action

Race 2: 2 Oliver Twist, 1 Karoo Gold, 8 Kamaria, 5 Mo Ridge

Race 3: 3 Charlie Malone, 5 Cruzador, 8 Russian Empire, 7 Wordsworth

Race 4: 6 Purple Operator, 4 Eyjafjallajokull, 5 Dubai Hills, 1 Montelena

Race 5: 3 Slainte Mhath, 5 Great Affair, 2 Puerto Plata, 7 Kanimambo

Race 6: 1 King Regent, 2 Cherry Ano, 4 Inherit The Rain, 3 Bush Tracker

Race 7: 6 Catch Your Breath, 8 Lady Writer, 5 Beau Kala, 1 Chere For Me

Race 8: 4 State Capitol, 2 Ignitethelight, 3 La Pequenita, 9 Eat Prey Love

BEST BET

Race 6 No 1 King Regent

VALUE BET

Race 4 No 6 Purple Operator

BEST SWINGER

Race 2 1x2

BIPOT

R288

Leg 1: 1, 5, 6, 7

Leg 2: 1, 2

Leg 3: 3, 5, 7, 8

Leg 4: 4, 5, 6

Leg 5: 2, 3, 5

Leg 6: 1

PLACE ACCUMULATOR

R162

Leg 1: 2

Leg 2: 3, 5, 8

Leg 3: 4, 5, 6

Leg 4: 2, 3, 5

Leg 5: 1

Leg 6: 5, 6, 8

Leg 7: 2, 4

PICK 6

R1344

Leg 1: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8

Leg 2: 1, 4, 5, 6

Leg 3: 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8

Leg 4: 1

Leg 5: 1, 5, 6, 8

Leg 6: 2, 4

JACKPOT 1

R96

Leg 1: 1, 4, 5, 6

Leg 2: 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8

Leg 3: 1

Leg 4: 1, 5, 6, 8

JACKPOT 2

R48

Leg 1: 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8

Leg 2: 1

Leg 3: 1, 5, 6, 8

Leg 4: 2, 4