Elusive Winter stands out in the Cape

Jack Milner

There are generally small fields at Wednesday’s Hollywoodbets Durbanville race meeting but there are still some highly competitive races.

Nevertheless, bettors appear to have a really decent banker in Race 2 where the father and daughter team of Harold Crawford and Michelle Rix send out Elusive Winter in this B Stakes over 1000m.

The five-year-old gelding is in excellent form and comes off a victory over 1100m at HWB Kenilworth. He has loads of speed and will be even better over the shorter trip.

He has the benefit of No 2 draw, is proven at this course and has in-form apprentice Brevon Plaatjies in the irons.

Trainer Justin Snaith recently stated he would be sending out his three-year-olds to build them up for the upcoming Western Cape Summer season.

His best on the day could well be Absolutely Yes, who looks to be well above average. He already has some decent form as a two-year-old and rates the one to beat in Race 4, a Progress Plate over 1400m.

Absolutely Yes showed high-class potential not long after gelding, beating highly regarded Churchillian over 1200m before going on to win the Grade 3 Langerman over 1500m, one of the best pointers for Classic contenders, as Eight On Eighteen proved last season.

The up-and-coming Danon Platina gelding should be able to make a winning comeback from a 74-day break. He has won three of his five starts and will have JP van der Merwe on his back once again. The jockey has already racked up two wins from three rides aboard Absolutely Yes and will jump from No 2 draw.

Snaith sends out Legislate filly Lowveld Lily, who also takes on her elders in Race 7, a Class 5 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1250m. The chestnut filly easily beat Viva La Vida two runs back and looks the one to beat in this weaker grade.

Jack Milner’s selections

Race 1: 7 Panjandrum, 6 Marketa, 5 Call Of The Karoo, 12 Whatastar

Race 2: 2 Elusive Winter, 3 Roman Agent, 1 Flying Finley, 6 One Liner

Race 3: 7 Inside Voice, 4 Amen Corner, 1 All Is Green, 5 American Ultra

Race 4: 2 Absolutely Yes, 4 Captain West, 5 Jet Force, 6 Air Raid

Race 5: 6 Better Man, 1 King's Quest, 7 Double Dash, 4 My Bestie

Race 6: 7 Du Maurier, 5 Easy Living, 9 Hear My Voice, 3 Country Time

Race 7: 8 Lowveld Lily, 4 Tres Chic, 2 Im The Buzz, 1 True Horizon

Race 8: 4 Black Eagle, 6 Late December, 9 Follow Your Heart, 8 In A Timely Manner

BEST BET

Race 2: 2 Elusive Winter

VALUE BET

Race 1: 7 Panjandrum

BEST SWINGER

Race 5 1x6

BIPOT                                

R96

Leg 1: 5, 6, 7, 12

Leg 2: 2

Leg 3: 4, 7

Leg 4: 2, 4

Leg 5: 1, 6

Leg 6: 5, 7, 9

PLACE ACCUMULATOR

R144

Leg 1: 2

Leg 2: 4, 7

Leg 3: 2, 4

Leg 4: 1, 6

Leg 5: 5, 7, 9

Leg 6: 2, 4, 8

Leg 7: 4, 6

PICK 6

R864

Leg 1: 1, 4, 5, 7

Leg 2: 2, 4, 5

Leg 3: 1, 6

Leg 4: 5, 7, 9

Leg 5: 2, 4, 8

Leg 6: 4, 6, 8, 9

JACKPOT 1

R54

Leg 1: 2, 4, 5

Leg 2: 1, 6

Leg 3: 5, 7, 9

Leg 4: 2, 4, 8

JACKPOT 2

R72

Leg 1: 1, 6

Leg 2: 5, 7, 9

Leg 3: 2, 4, 8

Leg 4: 4, 6, 8, 9