Turffontein Thursday moved to Vaal Classic

Jack Milner

Please be advised that the Turffontein Standside race meeting scheduled for 2 January 2025 has been moved to the Vaal Classic Track.

Due to over 51mm of rainfall in the past 24 hours, the Turffontein track is waterlogged and unsuitable for racing. 

In contrast, the Vaal Classic track has received only 2.5mm of rainfall and is in excellent condition.

The move to the Classic track ensures that all seven races will run around the bend, as originally planned.

However, given the relatively small field sizes, significant scratchings due to the venue change may result in a further reduction in the card, and a decision to abandon the meeting will be considered if necessary.

Races 1, 2, 3, 6, and 7 will now be contested over 1450m, while all other distances remain unchanged

Piere Strydom had some decent rides but sadly, as the result of a fall at the Vaal on Tuesday he will be out of action for around two weeks.

There was some concern about whether his arm was broken but fortunately that was not the case.

The interesting move is that Muzi Yeni, who has been out of action since his fall in the Charity Mile, has taken the ride on Dylan’s Champ in Race 1 and while Chase Maujean will be abroad Happy Mo in Race 6

Fabian Habib-trained Dylan’s Champ gelding has proven costly to follow but he wouldn't be winning out of turn after second place finishes in each of his last three starts, all of them by 0.30 lengths or less.

Hopefully Yeni can make it a winning comeback and will be able to get his mount's nose down at the right time in Race 1, a Maiden Plate over 1400m.

Johan Janse van Vuuren-trained Happy Mo went strength from strength in six outings from 1 August to 19 December, winning twice and finishing second three times over distances from 1200m to 1600m after finishing third over 1800m on Day 1 of the 2024/25 campaign.

She was game in defeat last time, overcoming the widest draw and leading most of the way before being outrun in the closing stages of that 1600m contest to be beaten 1.50 lengths by improving three-year-old filly Care Forgot - to whom she conceded 5kg.

From a favourable No 2 gate over 1400m, Happy Mo could be hard to peg back in this MR 92 Handicap for fillies and mares.

Jack Milner’s selections

Race 1: 1 Dylan's Champ, 10 Gregarious, 2 Casus Belli, 8 Amanatto

Race 2: 5 Call Me Master, 1 Guerilla Warfare, 4 Falcon Strike, 8 Carnelo

Race 3: 4 Peace Treaty, 5 Twelve Oclock High, 3 Lets Play Poker, 2 Fostinovo

Race 4: 3 Whafeef, 5 Tamarisk Tree, 4 Hawkbill, 9 Birthright

Race 5: 5 Arlington Action, 4 Douglas Dragon, 1 Banha Bridge, 6 To The Rescue

Race 6: 4 Happy Mo, 2 Francine, 8 Fastnet Filly, 1 Betula

Race 7: 2 Boom Boom, 1 Rattle Bag, 8 Pretty Analia, 4 Seventeen Again

BEST BET

Race 7: 2 Boom Boom

VALUE BET

Race 4: 3 Whafeef

BEST SWINGER

Race 1 1x10

BIPOT

R216

Leg 1: 1, 10

Leg 2: 1, 5

Leg 3: 3, 4, 5

Leg 4: 4, 5

Leg 5: 1, 4, 7

Leg 6: 2, 4

PLACE ACCUMULATOR

R216

Leg 1: 1, 10

Leg 2: 1, 5

Leg 3: 3, 4, 5

Leg 4: 4, 5

Leg 5: 1, 4, 7

Leg 6: 2, 4

Leg 7: 2

PICK 6

R720

Leg 1: 1, 4, 5

Leg 2: 2, 3, 4, 5

Leg 3: 3, 4, 5, 9, 10

Leg 4: 1, 4, 5, 6

Leg 5: 2, 4, 7

Leg 6: 2

JACKPOT 1

R240

Leg 2: 2, 3, 4, 5

Leg 3: 3, 4, 5, 9, 10

Leg 4: 1, 4, 5, 6

Leg 5: 2, 4, 7

JACKPOT 2

R60

Leg 3: 3, 4, 5, 9, 10

Leg 4: 1, 4, 5, 6

Leg 5: 2, 4, 7

Leg 6: 2