Gladatorian to rule in Kings Cup

A fascinating contest awaits horseplayers in Sunday’s Kings Cup, the headliner at Hollywoodbets Greyville.

The best horse in the Listed race is Gladatorian who, with an official merit rating of 123, is also weighted to get the job done. He is, however, being prepped for upcoming Graded races during champion’s season and there are light weighted runners who could turn the race into a thriller.

Gladatorian has a great record when returning from a break.

The Stuart Ferrie-trained star has won three out of six starts after a rest and run second in the other three. But it is his class that should see him dominate.

He has given weight to Grade 1 L’Ormarins King’s Plate-placed Royal Aussie as well as Grade 1 Gold Challenge and Durban July runner up Cousin Casey and taken them to the wire.

Both Winter Games (51.5kg) and Miss Platina (50.5kg), who receive chunks of weight from Gladatorian (62kg), are useful sorts but have not shown that type of class and find themselves out at the weights. As such Gladatorian rates as the banker bet of the day.

Sean Veale takes the ride.

Jack Milner’s selections

Race 1: 6 Gotta Go Eddie, 1 Bell Of Angelus, 9 Like Fire, 5 Hollywood Heiress

Race 2: 6 Shoot The Rapids, 5 Broadway Girl, 4 Palermo, 3 Capsaicin

Race 3: 7 Bad Medicine, 8 The Green Gallant, 3 Silver Platter, 5 Cuzzie

Race 4: 2 Blackberry Breeze, 6 Lucretius, 5 Kadizora, 11 Duke Of Africa

Race 5: 1 Shiny Bob, 12 Elusive Belle, 10 Pongola, 9 Basie Raakvat

Race 6: 7 I Salute You, 1 Field Marshal, 2 Famous Warrior, 6 Sign Of Fate

Race 7: 2 Gladatorian, 3 Miss Platina, Narina Trogon, Madison Valley

Race 8: 6 Terminator, 7 Mister Nibbles, 10 World Of Our Own, 4 Burning Man

Race 9: 8 Jazz Festival, 9 Papa C, 1 Chill In The Air, 2 Festival Of Magic

Race 10: 4 Donquerari, 7 Twenty One May, 1 Mojo Man, 3 Smorgasbord

BEST BET

Race 7: 2 Gladatorian

VALUE BET

Race 4: 2 Blackberry Breeze

BEST SWINGER

Race 2 5x6

BIPOT

R216

Leg 1: 5, 6

Leg 2: 3, 7, 8

Leg 3: 2, 5, 6, 9

Leg 4: 1, 10, 12

Leg 5: 1, 2, 7

Leg 6: 2

PLACE ACCUMULATOR

R216

Leg 1: 3, 7, 8

Leg 2: 2, 6, 9

Leg 3: 1, 12

Leg 4: 1, 7

Leg 5: 2

Leg 6: 6, 7

Leg 7: 1, 8, 9

PICK 6

R1600

Leg 1: 2, 5, 6, 9, 11

Leg 2: 1, 9, 10, 12

Leg 3: 1, 2, 6, 7

Leg 4: 2

Leg 5: 1, 4, 6, 7, 10

Leg 6: 1, 2, 8, 9

JACKPOT 1

R80

Leg 1: 1, 9, 10, 12

Leg 2: 1, 2, 6, 7

Leg 3: 2

Leg 4: 1, 4, 6, 7, 10

JACKPOT 2

R100

Leg 3: 2

Leg 4: 1, 4, 6, 7, 10

Leg 5: 1, 2, 8, 9

Leg 6: 1, 2, 3, 4, 7