Gladatorian to avoid the blushes

Jack Milner

A pair of three-year-olds with loads of ability will line up in in Race 2, a Conditional Novice over 1400m on the Polytrack at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Wednesday.

Sun Blushed and Gladatorian both won at the second time of asking and then went on to compete in two high-class races for juveniles.

Sun Blushed, trained by Michael Roberts,  won his maiden at odds of 75-1 after showing little on debut and although he won with ease, runner-up Lazy Guy, has yet to win. As a result, Sun Blushed was easy to back in the Grade 2 Umkhomazi Stakes but ran way above expectations, going down an unlucky short head after getting going too late.

Dennis Drier-trained Gladatorian on the other hand, was heavily backed on debut but did oblige in his next start when even more money was poured onto him. His claim to fame, however, is his fifth placing in the Grade 1 Gold Medallion.

These runs place these horses near the top of the ladder in KwaZulu-Natal and are certainly leading lights for their respective yards. It’s a fascinating contest but which one to go for?

The mind says go for Sun Blushed who was closer up (beaten a nose) in the Grade 2 versus Gladatorian who finished 3.80 lengths off Thunderstruck, who won again at Turffontein last week, in the Grade 1.

But Gladatorian is a big fellow and given the fact that he has been up there but not winning probably meant he needed gelding. Well, that surgery has been performed, so we could now see what the son of Vercingetorix is really made off.

The progeny of Vercingetorix incidentally usually relish going a bit more ground so this 1400m could also prove to be ideal.

Whatever the case the pair should fight it out and we could be in for a supreme spectacle.

Jack Milner’s selections

Race 1: 4 Victory Belle, 3 Declare War, 2 Cape Princess, 5 County Kildare

Race 2: 2 Gladatorian, 4 Sun Blushed, 5 Imposing, 7 Pongola

Race 3: 9 Johnny's Hope, 1 Ravens Sword, 5 L'Ultimo, 10 Twice As Perfect

Race 4: 1 Wave Warrior, 7 Track Commander, 9 Caesura, 6 Gentleman's Way

Race 5: 5 My Cherie Amour, 3 Iron Chef, 7 Venturous, 4 Acacia's Blossom

Race 6: 1 New Orleans, 7 Alto Alex, 2 Capriana, 8 Miss Magician

Race 7: 3 Proud Master, 2 African Skyline, 6 Bowie, 4 Conquer The Enemy

Race 8: 2 Gin And Tonic, 3 Diamond Girl, 1 Twice The Trip, 10 Green Dream

BEST BET

Race 5 No 5 My Cherie Amour

VALUE BET

Race 8 No 2 Gin And Tonic

BEST SWINGER

Race 2 2x4

BIPOT

R256

Leg 1: 3, 4

Leg 2: 2, 4

Leg 3: 1, 5, 9, 10

Leg 4: 1, 6, 7, 9

Leg 5: 5

Leg 6: 1, 2, 7, 8

PLACE ACCUMULATOR

R243

Leg 1: 2

Leg 2: 1, 5, 9

Leg 3: 1, 7, 9

Leg 4: 5

Leg 5: 1, 2, 7

Leg 6: 2, 3, 6

Leg 7: 1, 2, 3

PICK 6

R2000

Leg 1: 1, 5, 9, 10

Leg 2: 1, 4, 6, 7, 9

Leg 3: 5

Leg 4: 1, 2, 7, 8, 9

Leg 5: 2, 3, 4, 6

Leg 6: 1, 2, 3, 8, 10

JACKPOT 1

R100

Leg 1: 1, 4, 6, 7, 9

Leg 2: 5

Leg 3: 1, 2, 7, 8, 9

Leg 4: 2, 3, 4, 6

JACKPOT 2

R100

Leg 1: 5

Leg 2: 1, 2, 7, 8, 9

Leg 3: 2, 3, 4, 6

Leg 4: 1, 2, 3, 8, 10