GAVIN LERENA RIDES LOTUS
Jack Milner: There has been 60mm of rain recorded in the last seven days at the Vaal so expect the going to be on the soft side on Tuesday.
The racing looks highly competitive but Swingers and Exactas look the right way to go as a lot of the races give the impression that two runners will be fighting them out.
The Vaal events to hit big are in Race 1, Race 2 and Race 6.
Godswood and Lagertha look set to fight out the opening event, and while neither Swingers nor Exactas will pay big money, they are worth collecting.
Race 2 is a MR 88 Handicap over 1600m where Quattro Passi with Piere Strydom up and Eagle Alley, to be ridden by Lyle Hewitson, are expected to fight this out.
In fact, one could even include Candice Dawson-trained Master Supreme and take the Trifecta.
The Swinger with a little more value in it comes up in Race 6 where consistent Alec Laird-trained Leading Lad could finally get into the No 1 box after finishing a close second in both his last two runs.
Corne Spies-trained gelding, Attentive, who is by Byword, showed marked improvement when a strong-finishing second after being out of action for over four months and looks next best in a particularly moderate field.
Finding a best bet on the card is not easy but Lotus looks a decent bet in Race 5, a Maiden Handicap for fillies and mares over 1700m.
She has yet to run in the wet but the extra distance looks set to suit and Paul Peter has engaged Gavin Lerena, who rides the daughter of Flower Alley for the first time.
Jack Milner’s selections
Race 1: 1 Godswood, 7 Lagertha, 2 Just As Rich, 3 Freezing Fast
Race 2: 3 Quattro Passi, 4 Eagle Alley, 1 Master Supreme, 2 Owlinthetree
Race 3: 1 Timeforthat, 5 Almalfi Coast, 10 Manhattan Magic, 12 Sky View
Race 4: 8 Rabia The Rebel, 10 Podcast, 2 Afraad, 9 Baymax
Race 5: 2 Lotus, 8 Winston’s Nanny, 5 Joanna Ess, 7 On Broadway
Race 6: 1 Leading Lad, 11 Attentive, 4 Grace From Above, 3 Fast Draw
Race 7: 3 Lady Defiance, 1 Stormy Winter, 6 Anatura, 4 Follow My Path
Race 8: 13 Afriel, 3 Starflash, 6 Successful Secret, 12 Snow In Seattle
BEST BET
Race 5 No 2 Lotus
VALUE BET
Race 4 No 8 Rabia The Rebel
BEST SWINGER
Race 6 1×11
BIPOT
R64
Leg 1: 1, 7
Leg 2: 3, 4
Leg 3: 1, 5, 10, 12
Leg 4: 2, 8, 9, 10
Leg 5: 2
Leg 6: 1
PLACE ACCUMULATOR
R144
Leg 1: 3
Leg 2: 1, 5, 10, 12
Leg 3: 2, 8, 9, 10
Leg 4: 2
Leg 5: 1
Leg 6: 1, 3, 6
Leg 7: 3, 6, 13
PICK 6
R1536
Leg 1: 1, 5, 7, 10
Leg 2: 2, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 15
Leg 3: 2
Leg 4: 11
Leg 5: 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
Leg 6: 1, 3, 5, 6, 12, 13, 14, 16
JACKPOT 1
R96
Leg 1: 2, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 15
Leg 2: 2
Leg 3: 1, 11
Leg 4: 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
JACKPOT 2
R96
Leg 1: 2
Leg 2: 1, 11
Leg 3: 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
Leg 4: 1, 3, 5, 6, 12, 13, 14, 16
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