The last couple of meetings at Hollywoodbets Durbanville have not been particularly punter friendly but this is the last meeting at the course for a while as racing returns to Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Sunday.
Hopefully we can rely on jockey Richard Fourie to do us a good turn when he resumes his partnership with Greg Ennion-trained Major Apollo in Race 6, a Cape C Stakes over 1000m.
Fourie has ridden the gelding in his two starts to date, both at this course.
This three-year-old son of Captain Of All caught the eye when running on well to finish third on debut behind William West, with whom he renews rivalry, and confirmed that promise by winning next time out at restricted odds.
Major Apollo also impressed the handicappers as he will carry 61.5kg from the widest No 7 gate but that is unlikely to prevent him from winning again. He has the most scope for improvement so could well prove better than rated.
William West had the benefit of six previous runs before shedding his maiden tag and there were 2.25 lengths between himself and an unraced Major Apollo, who is likely to have improved more than that deficit.
The former was also conceding 9kg to last-start conqueror Wordsworth when finishing third in a similar contest last time and is 1.5kg better off now for a 1.35-length beating.
Bonanza, who split those rivals last month when runner-up on his return from a break, is closely matched on that form so also enters the equation.
On a line through William West, however, improving Major Apollo ought to have the measure of them all, even from the widest gate.
Jack Milner’s selections
Race 1: 6 Quick Trip, 8 Tres Chic, 3 Nile The Boss, 7 True Horizon
Race 2: 3 Time For Love, 8 Lickety Split, 1 Bytheliteofthemoon, 7 Grandiosa
Race 3: 3 Naushon, 6 Flash Lightning, 2 Apache Chief, 10 Run Rudolph Run
Race 4: 2 Storm Boulevard, 1 Masterofallstorms, 3 Heknows, 7 Weather King
Race 5: 7 Epikleros, 4 Gentleman Joe, 1 Avignon, 8 Exceeder
Race 6: 7 Major Apollo, 5 Bonanza, 3 William West, 1 Axl
Race 7: 2 Icy Blast, 1 The Abdicator, 7 Bluff On Bluff, 5 Tough Terrain
Race 8: 7 Open Highway, 2 Masked Vigilante, 1 Fort Red, 3 Hard Winter
BEST BET
Race 2 No 3 Time For Love
VALUE BET
Race 8 No 7 Open Highway
BEST SWINGER
Race 2 3x8
BIPOT
R192
Leg 1: 6, 8
Leg 2: 3
Leg 3: 3, 6
Leg 4: 1, 2, 3
Leg 5: 1, 4, 7, 8
Leg 6: 1, 3, 5, 7
PLACE ACCUMULATOR
R216
Leg 1: 3
Leg 2: 3, 6
Leg 3: 1, 2
Leg 4: 1, 4, 7
Leg 5: 3, 5, 7
Leg 6: 1, 2
Leg 7: 1, 2, 7
PICK 6
R1728
Leg 1: 2, 3, 6
Leg 2: 1, 2, 3, 7
Leg 3: 1, 4, 7, 8
Leg 4: 1, 3, 5, 7
Leg 5: 1, 2, 7
Leg 6: 1, 2, 7
JACKPOT 1
R192
Leg 1: 1, 2, 3, 7
Leg 2: 1, 4, 7, 8
Leg 3: 1, 3, 5, 7
Leg 4: 1, 2, 7
JACKPOT 2
R144
Leg 1: 1, 4, 7, 8
Leg 2: 1, 3, 5, 7
Leg 3: 1, 2, 7
Leg 4: 1, 2, 7