Richard Fourie’s continued pursuit of Anthony Delpech’s record of 334 wins in a season has fascinated racing fans and bettors alike, making for an intriguing sideshow to the current campaign.
If successful in his bid to surpass that mark and break the long-standing South African record, Fourie will pocket the cool R1-million bonus offered by leading sports betting operator Hollywoodbets.
Given his success on visits to the Highveld, Fourie's decision to ride at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth - instead of the nine-race card at Turffontein - on Saturday is significant and suggests the eight-race card is likely to bring further success in his bid for glory.
Of his full complement of rides, Justin Snaith-trained Aristotle is the pick of Fourie's eight mounts and should win Race 1 over 1200m.
This well-bred Rafeef colt, bought for R1 million as a yearling, finished a promising second on debut over the same course and distance on 6 February behind One Stripe who franked the form by winning the Grade 3 Cape Nursery at his next start.
Aristotle ought to have benefited from that experience and with any improvement, should open his account and get Fourie off to a winning start.
Trainer Paul Reeves has struck up a potent partnership with the country's leading rider and the last three runners to represent this combination have produced inspiring recent results - a win, a second, and a fourth - which bodes well for the chances of Mighty Mac, who Fourie rides for the first time, in Race 7 over 1100m.
This Pathfork gelding finished second in consecutive starts over 1250m at Hollywoodbets Durbanville before blotting his copybook over 1400m on his return to Kenilworth in December. However, he has rediscovered his form reverting to sprints with close-up finishes over 1200m in his two subsequent starts, including at a higher level last time out when a creditable fifth just 1.20 lengths behind the winner.
Jack Milner’s selections
Race 1: 2 Aristotle, 6 Bagatelle Flash, 8 Miss Argonaut, 7 What A Fortune
Race 2: 3 Cliff Swallow, 2 Wissa's On Fire, 10 Igugulethu, 11 Approach Shot
Race 3: 10 Ice Rain, 6 Jet Green, 9 Rocking Peonie, 2 Three Coins
Race 4: 4 Cafe Culture, 8 Wecangoallnight, 5 Tout A Fait, 7 We're Jamming
Race 5: 2 Master Of Paris, 4 Liketheclappers, 7 Radicchio, 8 Destined To Dance
Race 6: 10 Kyalami Girl, 8 Candy Town, 7 Porque Te Vas, 9 Japanese Rose
Race 7: 7 Mighty Mac, 6 On Board, 2 Hammies Hero, 4 Mr Frostie
Race 8: 7 Mufasa, 2 Rio Querari, 1 Jerusalema Rain, 4 Dance Variety
BEST BET
Race 7 No 7 Mighty Mac
VALUE BET
Race 8 No 7 Mufasa
BEST SWINGER
Race 1 2x6
BIPOT
R96
Leg 1: 2, 6
Leg 2: 2, 3, 10
Leg 3: 6, 10
Leg 4: 4, 8
Leg 5: 2
Leg 6: 7, 8, 9, 10
PLACE ACCUMULATOR
R180
Leg 1: 2, 3, 10
Leg 2: 6, 10
Leg 3: 4, 8
Leg 4: 2
Leg 5: 7, 8, 10
Leg 6: 7
Leg 7: 1, 2, 4, 7, 8
PICK 6
R1440
Leg 1: 6, 9, 10
Leg 2: 4, 5, 7, 8
Leg 3: 2, 4, 7
Leg 4: 5, 7, 8, 9, 10
Leg 5: 7
Leg 6: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
JACKPOT 1
R60
Leg 1: 4, 5, 7, 8
Leg 2: 2, 4, 7
Leg 3: 5, 7, 8, 9, 10
Leg 4: 7
JACKPOT 2
R120
Leg 1: 2, 4, 7
Leg 2: 5, 7, 8, 9, 10
Leg 3: 7
Leg 4: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8