Jack Milner
An interesting MR 82 Handicap over 1600m (Race 6) will be run on the Standside track at Turffontein on Thursday where some talented runners will square up.
Some of these contenders could be worth putting in your notebook as ones on which to keep an eye as they progress through the divisions.
Celestial City is a full brother to Hawwaam and despite some early difficulties the son of Silvano has done well since under the tutelage of Sean Tarry. He has been consistent in his eight races so far, having won three times, finished second three times to add to a third place behind Absolute Value.
In his only unplaced run behind Zuzan there were excuses so overall he has been a reliable and honest performer.
It is also worth noting his four runs over 1600m have produced three wins and a second place so on that basis, he does set the standard with Kabelo Matsunyane in the irons.
However, there are a couple of opponents who need to be respected.
There is a lot to like about Royal Guide, who like Celestial City, only started racing as a four-year-old. The son of Gimmethegreenlight has only run three times, finishing third in his first two starts before romping home last time to win his maiden beating Kambula by 4.50 lengths over this course and distance.
What is also significant is that two winners came out of his first run and three from his second so those form lines look significant. Gavin Lerena retains the ride on the Alec Laird-trained runner and they will be receiving 4.5kg from Celestial City.
Bob’s Your Uncle is another who comes into the reckoning as he does have direct form with Celestial City. This is another lightly raced runner who, after finishing unplaced on debut, went to notch up two wins followed by a neck second behind Celestial City and a 0.40-length third to Millahue who ran well at the Vaal yesterday.
This Lucky Houdalakis-trained runner is now 0.5kg better off with Celestial City so there is little to choose between the pair. Craig Zackey takes the ride.
Also out of that form line are fourth-placed JP Two Thousand and fifth-placed Vitellius and again, with the weight turnaround, they are very close to both Celestial City and Bob’s Your Uncle.
The value in the race could be David Nieuwenhuizen-trained Roll Over Redrover who is highly regarded by the stable. Unfortunately, he blotted his copybook last time when well supported, only to finish a 3.65-length sixth to Rattle Bag. But he pulled up with a running nose, coughing and fatigued so was clearly incubating some sort of virus.
That run is best forgotten and this son of Wylie Hall should not be left out of any of the exotics.
Jack Milner’s selections
Race 1: 3 Count Your Chances, 7 Holocene, 1 I'm A Man, 4 Misava
Race 2: 5 Special Charm, 1 Bold Fortune, 6 Kwazzi's Lady, 2 Raratonga Rose
Race 3: 7 Cicadidae, 2 Primrose Path, 8 Cue The Rebel, 6 Bavarian Beauty
Race 4: 6 Dr Faustus, 1 Viva De Janeiro, 3 Magic Prince, 7 Moola Man
Race 5: 1 Call To Glory, 7 My Soul Mate, 8 Silver Hunt, 2 Inevitable
Race 6: 10 Royal Guide, 1 Celestial City, 2 Bob's Your Uncle, 3 Roll Over Redrover
Race 7: 12 Elembee, 6 United Council, 2 Wokonda, 11 National Star
Race 8: 4 Island Beauty, 10 A Place In The Sun, 2 Ballroom Bliss, 13 Go Dream Machine
BEST BET
Race 3 No 7 Cicadidae
VALUE BET
Race 8 No 4 Island Beauty
BEST SWINGER
Race 5 1x7
BIPOT
R240
Leg 1: 1, 3, 7
Leg 2: 1, 2, 5, 6
Leg 3: 7
Leg 4: 1, 6
Leg 5: 1, 7
Leg 6: 1, 2, 3, 7, 10
PLACE ACCUMULATOR
R270
Leg 1: 1, 5, 6
Leg 2: 7
Leg 3: 1, 6
Leg 4: 1
Leg 5: 1, 2, 10
Leg 6: 2, 6, 12
Leg 7: 2, 3, 4, 10, 13
PICK 6
R1280
Leg 1: 7
Leg 2: 1, 3, 6, 7
Leg 3: 1, 7
Leg 4: 1, 2, 3, 7, 10
Leg 5: 2, 6, 11, 12
Leg 6: 2, 3, 4, 5, 9, 10, 11, 13
JACKPOT 1
R160
Leg 1: 1, 3, 6, 7
Leg 2: 1, 7
Leg 3: 1, 2, 3, 7, 10
Leg 4: 2, 6, 11, 12
JACKPOT 2
R320
Leg 1: 1, 7
Leg 2: 1, 2, 3, 7, 10
Leg 3: 2, 6, 11, 12
Leg 4: 2, 3, 4, 5, 9, 10, 11, 13