Jack Milner
Bettors are faced with some tricky racing at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Tuesday but trainer Andre Nel and jockey Corne Orffer can give them a decent start in Race 2.
They team up with Chance Encounter in this Maiden Juvenile Plate over 1200m and he is expected to improve on his fast-finishing third behind In A Timely Manner over this course and distance.
This well-bred son of Vercingetorix was nowhere to be seen in the early stages of that race, sitting 11th of the 12 runners at the 400m mark. However, as the winner crossed the line Chance Encounter suddenly flashed up late to get beaten just 1.50 lengths.
That performance was enough for this colt, backed in from an opening call of 9-2 to go off at 13-10, to be inscribed in that black book of horses to follow.
He is back in action today and drawn ideally in gate No 1 and with that experience under his belt, to make him the best bet on the card. He has the breeding to go with his ability as he is a full-brother to the stable's Grade 1 Cape Fillies Guineas winner Chansonette.
There are a number of unraced runners so that does open the door for other possibilities but Chance Encounter does look the kind of horse who could have some feature-race possibilities in his future.
Consistent Bugle Boy is the other runner with experience to fight out the finish so Swingers with the pair could also reap rewards.
Nel and Orffer could also be on the mark with Superhero, who will not need to improve much on his encouraging comeback third over the same course and distance to open his account over 1400m in Race 3, an Open maiden over 1400m.
This three-year-old Futura gelding, an R800,000 buy as a yearling in 2023, was not disgraced in finishing third on his return from a five-month layoff last month.
Nel's charge would have tightened up appreciably with the benefit of that outing and remains open to improvement so it could pay to follow his progress.
One can also not write off their chances in Race 4 where they send out Boogiefied. The Australian-bred youngster was highly rated but often flattered to deceive, prompting his connections to geld the son of American Triple Crown winner Justify.
He was touched off on his reappearance in mid-February by promising three-year-old rival Please Be True before confirming that improvement with back-to-back victories over 1400m, the latest on 1 June under a three-point penalty for his 16 March success.
However, he beat Dean Kannemeyer-trained Industrialstrength by 0.75 lengths on that occasion and the son of Gimmethegreenlight is now 3.5kg better off. He also has the better draw as the Craig Zackey-ridden runner will jump from barrier No 2 while Boogiefied is drawn No 10.
Jack Milner’s selections
Race 1: 1 Nebulous, 5 Wait For Me, 3 Pennys Choice, 8 Whatastar
Race 2: 1 Chance Encounter, 8 Bugle Boy, 7 Saudi Cat, 2 Man Of Consequence
Race 3: 8 Superhero, 1 Boundless Love, 4 Cape Captain, 7 Joueur De Flute
Race 4: 2 Industrialstrength, 10 Boogiefied, 1 Kelp Forest, 5 Pilot Flame
Race 5: 3 Midway, 8 Mela Strength, 11 Saint Brigid, 12 Cosmic Rhythm
Race 6: 6 Captain West, 7 Tenpenny, 1 Bel Canto Dream, 4 Future Turn
Race 7: 5 Sansa Stark, 1 Baton Rouge, 3 Beer With The Boys, 4 Summer Night City
Race 8: 3 Winteronthegreen, 2 Country Time, 10 Electric Feels, 7 Golden Ideal
Race 9: 10 The US Of A, 1 Flying Finley, 9 Counter Attack, 4 Bluff On Bluff
BEST BET
Race 2: 1 Chance Encounter
VALUE BET
Race 4: 2 Industrialstrength
BEST SWINGER
Race 2 1x8
BIPOT
R162
Leg 1: 1
Leg 2: 1, 4, 8
Leg 3: 2, 10
Leg 4: 3, 8, 11
Leg 5: 1, 6, 7
Leg 6: 1, 3, 5
PLACE ACCUMULATOR
R216
Leg 1: 1, 8
Leg 2: 2, 10
Leg 3: 3, 8
Leg 4: 1, 6, 7
Leg 5: 1, 3, 5
Leg 6: 2, 3, 10
Leg 7: 10
PICK 6
R960
Leg 1: 1, 2, 10
Leg 2: 3, 8, 11, 12
Leg 3: 1, 4, 5, 6, 7
Leg 4: 1, 3, 4, 5
Leg 5: 2, 3, 7, 10
Leg 6: 10
JACKPOT 1
R320
Leg 1: 3, 8, 11, 12
Leg 2: 1, 4, 5, 6, 7
Leg 3: 1, 3, 4, 5
Leg 4: 2, 3, 7, 10
JACKPOT 2
R80
Leg 1: 1, 4, 5, 6, 7
Leg 2: 1, 3, 4, 5
Leg 3: 2, 3, 7, 10
Leg 4: 10