Jack Milner: Dance Class will attempt to extend her win streak to seven when she lines up in Race 6, a Middle Stakes over 2400m on Thursday at the Vaal on the Classic course.
It is rare for any racehorse to win six in a row, especially after quite an inauspicious start, but that is exactly what Dance Class has achieved.
In her first six starts the daughter if Modus Vivendi managed to place twice but those were over shorter distances, and it wasn’t until breeder/owner/trainer St John Gray put her over ground that Dance Class started to show her class.
Only seven runners are carded to run in this race but based on the manner of her victories, there is no reason why she should not achieve that next triumph.
It is worth noting that while a horse like Summer Pudding followed in the footsteps of her aunt by winning the Triple Tiara, Gray is producing a similar dynasty with this filly.
Dance Class has been entered to run in the Gauteng Summer Cup in November, a race won by her aunt, Dancewiththedevil, who sadly passed away this year. Dance Class shares a common sire in Modus Vivendi but her dam, Dance Alley, is a half-sister to Dancewiththedevil by Jam Alley.
In her last start, Dance Class beat Gary Alexander-trained Odd Rob (now a scratching from this race) by 1.25 lengths over 200m further, while Gold Griffin from the Paul Peter yard has 2.30 lengths to find.
Both are 1kg better off.
Brand New Cadillac, also from the Alexander stable, was a head further behind and now has a pull of 1.5kg.
Fife, trained by Mike and Adam Azzie, pulled up fatigued in the same race but gets a 4kg apprentice claim this time.
However, Dance Class is unbeaten in both of her starts over the course and distance. Last time, although she took a while to get going on the Turffontein Inside track, once she did find her finish, she won cosily. This time, with the longer run-in, it seems unlikely any these runners will be able to turn the tables.
Sherman Brown has ridden her to four of her six wins and is reunited with her once again.
Winter Smoke is another filly taking on the colts and could be another banker. This filly is highly regarded by trainer Ashley Fortune and the daughter of What A Winter could be hard to beat in Race 5, a MR 88 Handicap over 1000m.
She has only run three times for two easy wins and a 2.55-length fourth behind Vernichey in the Grade 1 Allan Robertson Championship over 1200m at Scottsville. She is very speedy and will have Lyle Hewitson up.
The only concern is that a few weeks back she was withdrawn because Fortune was concerned about the hard ground and that situation has not yet improved.
As a result, it is worth adding Spanish Boy from the Lucky Houdalakis yard into one’s bets as he has improved markedly and has built up a good rapport with jockey Piere Strydom.
Jack Milner’s selections
Race 1: 5 Love Of London, 6 Forward March, 7 Clouds Unleashed, 9 Maple Sugar
Race 2: 5 Harlequin Jack, 1 Petersham, 10 Flying Carpet, 9 Big Splash
Race 3: 5 Laetitia’s Angel, 4 Makara, 3 Twelve Oaks, 1 The Fifth Wave
Race 4: 6 On A High Note, 1 Marengo, 9 Jet Cat, 4 Bridge Of Spies
Race 5: 3 Winter Smoke, 7 Spanish Boy, 1 Captain Hindsight, 4 Galactic Warrior
Race 6: 2 Dance Class, 4 Brand New Cadillac, 3 Gold Griffin, 5 Zeal And Zest
Race 7: 3 Ice Lord, 1 Etched In Blue, 4 Tiger’s Rock, 6 Major Return
Race 8: 8 Lord Melbourne, 5 African Adventure, 7 Nafoorah, 1 Heart Stwings
Race 9: 12 Sun Giant, 13 Pucker Up, 5 In For A Penny, 2 Chevron
BEST BET
Race 6 No 2 Dance Class
VALUE BET
Race 8 No 8 Lord Melbourne
BEST SWINGER
Race 5 3×7
BIPOT
R192
Leg 1: 1, 5, 10
Leg 2: 1, 3, 4, 5
Leg 3: 1, 4, 6, 9
Leg 4: 3, 7
Leg 5: 2
Leg 6: 1, 3
PLACE ACCUMULATOR
R216
Leg 1: 3, 4, 5
Leg 2: 1, 6, 9
Leg 3: 3
Leg 4: 2
Leg 5: 1, 3
Leg 6: 5, 7, 8
Leg 7: 2, 5, 12, 13
PICK 6
R1280
Leg 1: 1, 4, 6, 9
Leg 2: 3, 7
Leg 3: 2
Leg 4: 1, 3, 4, 6
Leg 5: 1, 5, 7, 8
Leg 6: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 14, 16
JACKPOT 1
R32
Leg 1: 3, 7
Leg 2: 2
Leg 3: 1, 3, 4, 6
Leg 4: 1, 5, 7, 8
JACKPOT 2
R144
Leg 1: 2
Leg 2: 1, 3, 4, 6
Leg 3: 1, 5, 7, 8
Leg 4: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 14, 16