Jack Milner
It is always great for racing fans to watch two top jockeys go head-to-head where a tactical ride so often decides the outcome.
That is exactly what could happen at the Vaal in Race 7, a MR 80 Handicap over 1000m on the Classic track on Thursday.
Despite being in the twilight of his career, Piere Strydom is having quite a ride at the moment and really appears to be enjoying himself. Last Saturday at Turffontein he had just four rides and came away with two wins, a second and a 0.55-length fourth place.
Two weeks ago at the Vaal Classic course, he won on Dontshootthebarman for trainer Clinton Binda, beating The Navy Lark by 1.70 lengths with Nkandla Gold another short head back in third.
The pair will face off once again in Race 7 and while Strydom has stuck with Dontshootthebarman, Gavin Lerena has remained with Nkandla Gold. This time Brett Webber’s runner will come in 2.5kg better off and that should bring the pair very close together.
The fact Strydom is sticking with Binda’s runner comes as no surprise but Lerena’s decision to be with Nkandla Gold again indicates he believes he has a very real chance of reversing the placings.
It is worth noting that while Lerena does not ride that often for the Webber yard, he has an excellent record whenever he does. He has had six rides for two wins, one second and two thirds.
This should be a very interesting event.
Mauritian apprentice Girish Samo-Burthia has had only a handful of opportunities since joining the South African Jockey Academy but tomorrow could be a watershed moment in the career of the young rider.
Trainer Fanie Bronkhorst has booked him to ride three of his runners, including two with genuine winning chances, on the eight-race Vaal Classic track card.
The best, however, looks to be Flying The Flag gelding Flag Bearer who has finished second in three consecutive starts over distances ranging from 1700m to 2400m before running a game-in-defeat third under 4kg claimer Samo-Burthia over 1800m on the Inside track at Turffontein on 7 September.
That experience aboard the hard-knocking six-year-old handicapper would have done the young apprentice the world of good.
He continues his association with Flag Bearer in Race 4, a MR 66 Handicap over 1800m, and is likely to adopt the same front-running tactics that have served Bronkhorst’s charge well in recent outings. With just 52.5kg on his back from a favourable gate No 5, Flag Bearer will be hard to peg back if allowed a soft lead.
Jack Milner’s selections
Race 1: 1 Red Legend, 4 Hat Trick Or Treat, 5 Gold De Grace, 2 Livebythesword
Race 2: 2 Future Date, 1 Ambitious Lady, 4 Tik Tok Addiction, 3 Pass The Baton
Race 3: 3 Annewithan E, 2 Free In Seattle, 4 Gimme The Flame, 8 Count Your Chances
Race 4: 5 Flag Bearer, 2 Callaburn, 1 Manz Knight, 6 Guy Alexander
Race 5: 4 Ideal Future, 3 Silky Jet, 2 Angel's Wish, 1 Play With Fire
Race 6: 4 Fast Duty, 7 Southern Style, 8 Kittyboys Girl, 1 Guerilla Warfare
Race 7: 2 Nkandla Gold, 1 Dontshootthebarman, 7 Munchkin, 5 John Wick
Race 8: 2 After Hours, 4 Dancing Dora, 9 Twice As Wild, 8 Inafix
BEST BET
Race 1 No 1 Red Legend
VALUE BET
8 2 After Hours
BEST SWINGER
Race 2 1x2
BIPOT
R162
Leg 1: 1
Leg 2: 1, 2
Leg 3: 2, 3, 4
Leg 4: 1, 2, 5
Leg 5: 2, 3, 4
Leg 6: 4, 7, 8
PLACE ACCUMULATOR
R216
Leg 1: 2
Leg 2: 2, 3
Leg 3: 2, 5
Leg 4: 2, 3, 4
Leg 5: 4, 7, 8
Leg 6: 1, 2
Leg 7: 2, 4, 9
PICK 6
R2304
Leg 1: 2, 3, 4
Leg 2: 1, 2, 5
Leg 3: 1, 2, 3, 4
Leg 4: 1, 4, 7, 8
Leg 5: 1, 2, 5, 7
Leg 6: 2, 4, 8, 9
JACKPOT 1
R192
Leg 1: 1, 2, 5
Leg 2: 1, 2, 3, 4
Leg 3: 1, 4, 7, 8
Leg 4: 1, 2, 5, 7
JACKPOT 2
R256
Leg 1: 1, 2, 3, 4
Leg 2: 1, 4, 7, 8
Leg 3: 1, 2, 5, 7
Leg 4: 2, 4, 8, 9