Jack Milner
Both Mid Winter Wind and Dhow Solo have been costly to follow but on Thursday at Turffontein they could both finally get it right.
Dhow Solo, trained by Tony Peter, will be in action first up in Race 1, a Maiden Plate for fillies and mares over 1200m.
This daughter of Oratorio has not only attracted the attention of the racing public, but also of the handicapper, who slapped her with a 11-point penalty after her last outing when finishing runner-up to Work Of Time.
Now rated 80 after four runs, she ticks all the boxes.
The only concern is that she will be running around the turn for the first time as they race on the Inside track and has drawn gate No 7 in the field of eight, but even so, with Calvin Habib in the saddle again, this race is hers for the taking.
Sean Tarry-trained Mid Winter Wind should have no excuse in Race 2, a Maiden Plate over the same distance as the card opener.
Last time out this gelding just ran out of steam when travelling 1400m. Dropping in distance and having drawn better, he is hard to oppose. S’manga Khumalo is carded to ride the three-year-old What A Winter gelding but the jockey was stood down after Race 1 at the Vaal yesterday so hopefully he is fit to ride Mid Winter Wind in this event.
He is beautifully drawn in gate No 2.
Jack Milner’s selections
Race 1: 1 Dhow Solo, 3 Gold Agent, 2 Enchanting Lady, 7 Lady Greensleeves
Race 2: 1 Mid Winter Wind, 9 Donna Mo, 4 Theres A Light, 2 Guardia Regine
Race 3: 1 Turbo Power, 7 Simply Magic, 3 Max The Otter, 2 Boom Boom
Race 4: 7 Suryavarman, 5 Tsar Bomba, 11 Tirpitz,
Race 5: 8 Libeccio, 1 Willow Express, 5 Warhawk Bomber, 6 Sage King
Race 6: 1 Street Art, 3 Trois Trois Quatre, 6 Viva Brazil, 4 Say Yes
Race 7: 7 Princess Azariah, 3 A Place In The Sun, 2 Midnight Crystal, 1 Pretty In Pearls
Race 8: 4 Cerulean Dancer, 7 Count Your Chances, 5 Smelting, 9 Risky Business
BEST BET
Race 2: 1 Mid Winter Wind
VALUE BET
Race 5: 8 Libeccio
BEST SWINGER
Race 2 1x9
BIPOT
R144
Leg 1: 1, 3
Leg 2: 1
Leg 3: 1, 3, 7
Leg 4: 5, 7
Leg 5: 1, 5, 8
Leg 6: 1, 3, 4, 6
PLACE ACCUMULATOR
R324
Leg 1: 1
Leg 2: 1, 3, 7
Leg 3: 5, 7
Leg 4: 1, 5, 8
Leg 5: 1, 3
Leg 6: 2, 3, 7
Leg 7: 4, 5, 7
PICK 6
R1728
Leg 1: 1, 2, 3, 7
Leg 2: 5, 7, 11
Leg 3: 1, 5, 6, 8
Leg 4: 1, 3, 4, 6
Leg 5: 2, 3, 7
Leg 6: 4, 5, 7
JACKPOT 1
R144
Leg 1: 5, 7, 11
Leg 2: 1, 5, 6, 8
Leg 3: 1, 3, 4, 6
Leg 4: 2, 3, 7
JACKPOT 2
R144
Leg 1: 1, 5, 6, 8
Leg 2: 1, 3, 4, 6
Leg 3: 2, 3, 7
Leg 4: 4, 5, 7