Jack Milner
They talk about horses for but there are also jockeys for horses. In truth, the quality of Richard Fourie’s riding these days assures he can get on with almost any horse.
But he does appear to have a special connection with Alan Greeff-trained Luna Halo.
The Fire Away filly has won six of her seven starts under him, their only defeat coming in the Non-Black Type Lady’s Bracelet over 1600m where she finished a 0.75-length second behind Candice Bass-Robinson-trained Gold Poker Game.
Luna Halo will face another tough battle on Friday when she runs in Race 4, a Pinnacle Stakes over 1400m on the turf.
Nothing in racing is ever easy and this time around Luna Halo will jump from the widest gate and has 62kg to shoulder.
But it is worth noting she has won twice in her three starts over this course and distance.
The other stumbling block is And We Danced.
This talented five-year-old mare has been a wonderful servant to the Sharon Kotzen yard. She arrived around two years ago a one-time winner and has since notched up seven more wins and placed a further eight times in 17 starts.
In fact, if one looks at the Lady’s Bracelet result And We Danced is the runner to beat. In that race she finished 2.25 lengths behind Luna Halo and is now 5kg better off. In addition, she gets to jump from No 1 draw.
But although she has won over 1600m, Luna Halo does appear to be at her best over 1400m and as an improving three-year-old, she gets the nod.
Jack Milner’s selections
Race 1: 9 Winashare, 4 Magical River, 6 Project Runway, 3 Magdala
Race 2: 6 Sweet And True, 4 Global State, 8 Can't Say No, 2 Deco Var
Race 3: 8 Five Star Magic, 3 Specmagic, 7 Master Of Defense, 6 My Best Shot
Race 4: 1 Luna Halo, 2 And We Danced, 8 Lady Majorca, 9 Silvery Blue
Race 5: 2 Mr Bodacious, 1 Ferrando, 3 Raptor Island, 10 Jackson Misissippi
Race 6: 3 Light Without, 4 Painite, 8 Nothingelsematters, 1 Central City
Race 7: 6 Medlers Tart, 2 Bournemouth, 3 Peace In Our World, 5 Castletown
Race 8: 6 Rimaah, 4 Holly's View, 8 Fairy Tripp, 11 Miss Shaivi
BEST BET
Race 4 No 1 Luna Halo
VALUE BET
Race 8 No 6 Rimaah
BEST SWINGER
Race 4 1x2
BIPOT
R240
Leg 1: 3, 4, 5, 6, 9
Leg 2: 4, 6
Leg 3: 3, 6, 7, 8
Leg 4: 1
Leg 5: 1, 2
Leg 6: 3, 4, 8
PLACE ACCUMULATOR
R324
Leg 1: 4, 6
Leg 2: 3, 7, 8
Leg 3: 1
Leg 4: 1, 2
Leg 5: 3, 4, 8
Leg 6: 2, 3, 6
Leg 7: 4, 6, 8
PICK 6
R1920
Leg 1: 3, 6, 7, 8
Leg 2: 1
Leg 3: 1, 2, 3, 6, 10
Leg 4: 1, 3, 4, 8
Leg 5: 2, 3, 4, 5
Leg 6: 1, 4, 5, 6, 8, 11
JACKPOT 1
R80
Leg 1: 1
Leg 2: 1, 2, 3, 6, 10
Leg 3: 1, 3, 4, 8
Leg 4: 2, 3, 4, 5
JACKPOT 2
R480
Leg 1: 1, 2, 3, 6, 10
Leg 2: 1, 3, 4, 8
Leg 3: 2, 3, 4, 5
Leg 4: 1, 4, 5, 6, 8, 11