Jack Milner: Blinkers are supposed to encourage a horse to concentrate and if that is the case, they certainly have done the trick for Gainsford.
Vaughan Marshall’s charge was proving be quite costly after his first two outings. He began his career in KwaZulu-Natal during the winter and started a strong favourite in both of his races – at Scottsville and the Greyville Polytrack – but finished second and third respectively.
Back in Cape Town Marshall fitted blinkers to the son of Gimmethegreenlight and from that point on he has shown his true ability. He hacked in by 6.25 lengths in August and then had a two-month rest.
He returned last month, and the word was out that he might need the run. But like a true professional, Gainsford refused to give up and got up close home to beat Moon Rock by 0.20 lengths.
The two meet again in Race 7 at Kenilworth on Wednesday, a MR 90 Handicap over 1200m, and Moon Rock is weighted to turn the tables as he is 2.5kg better off.
But that last run should have brought Gainsford on and despite the weight turnaround, Aldo Domeyer should notch up a second success on the colt.
Jack Milner’s selection
Race 1: 2 Arctic Ice, 3 Lady Catherine, 5 After The Storm, 4 Adira
Race 2: 6 Greenlightflash, 1 Double Charge, 4 Bumrah, 7 Hikaru
Race 3: 5 Wild Creature, 4 Chile Jam, 3 Karoo Winter, 6 Gallic Girl
Race 4: 3 Seventh Gear, 6 Knights Templar, 1 Capoeira, 4 Love Happens
Race 5: 4 Marina, 6 Twicethequality, 8 Power Girl, 2 Fynbos
Race 6: 4 Pink Tourmaline, 2 Dazzling Sun, 3 Marmalisa, 7 Two Pennies
Race 7: 3 Gainsford, 8 Moon Rock, 1 Via Salaria, 5 Power Grid
Race 8: 12 Matthew The King, 2 Double Rainbow, 10 Line Of Power, 6 What A Man
BEST BET
Race 7 No 3 Gainsford
VALUE BET
Race 2 No 6 Greenlightflash
BEST SWINGER
Race 7 3×8
BIPOT
R324
Leg 1: 2, 3, 5
Leg 2: 1, 6
Leg 3: 3, 4, 5
Leg 4: 3, 6
Leg 5: 1, 4, 6
Leg 6: 2, 3, 4
PLACE ACCUMULATOR
R216
Leg 1: 1, 6
Leg 2: 4, 5
Leg 3: 3, 6
Leg 4: 1, 4, 6
Leg 5: 2, 3, 4
Leg 6: 3
Leg 7: 2, 3, 10
PICK 6
R1350
Leg 1: 3, 4, 5
Leg 2: 1, 3, 4, 6, 7
Leg 3: 1, 4, 6
Leg 4: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
Leg 5: 3
Leg 6: 2, 6, 7, 10, 12
JACKPOT 1
R90
Leg 1: 1, 3, 4, 6, 7
Leg 2: 1, 4, 6
Leg 3: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
Leg 4: 3
JACKPOT 2
R90
Leg 1: 1, 4, 6
Leg 2: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
Leg 3: 3
Leg 4: 2, 6, 7, 10, 12