Jack Milner
There are just three weeks to the end of this season and it is an ideal time of the year to test the two-year-olds against older opposition.
The three-year-olds are almost four and most of them have exposed form so one knows the level of the opposition.
That looks to be the case in Race 3 on Tuesday at the Vaal, a Maiden Plate for fillies and mares over 1450m on the Classic track, where Mike de Kock saddles juvenile Gocekwithlove.
She could prove hard to beat if building on the promise of her debut outing and her opening price of 11-10 is an indication the bookmakers are not taking any chances.
The grey filly is a daughter of highly regarded Japanese-bred stallion Danon Platina and was well supported on debut over 1200m at the Vaal last month, shortening from an opening call at 6-1 to go off at 3-1.
She lost ground at the start and stayed on well enough to finish fourth, 5.50 lengths behind Francine. On breeding she will enjoy the extra 250m this time and with the experience of a run under her belt she will take some beating.
Man-of-the-moment Kabelo Matsunyane, still relishing his win in the Hollywoodbets Durban July, takes the ride.
An interesting runner is one of the other two-year-fillies, Butternutenrooiwyn. Having her third run, Robyn Klaasen’s charge improved markedly when a 3.65-length fourth behind Lady Elliot last time. That was over 1450m but on the Turffontein Inside track and it is worth taking note that Gavin Lerena has stuck with the ride.
Solo Diva has the form and experience to be competitive but has not raced for 166 days. While Muzi Yeni is an encouraging jockey booking, trainer Tyrone Zackey has noted in the ComputaForm that the three-year-old daughter of Ski Skizzle will need the run.
Fabian Habib-trained Absolute Value, who will relish a return to 2400m, should provide exactly as his name suggests in Race 6, a MR 68 Handicap. He failed to go through with his effort when given every chance over 2000m last time but a sterner test of stamina will suit this Master Of My Fate gelding down to the ground.
He has an impressive record over this trip and boasts solid form credentials over staying distances.
Yeni's ride holds top-weight Monsieur Chavelle on the form of a recent meeting, so should prove hard to beat, especially with the scratching of Manz Knight.
St John Gray saddles a couple of runners on the card and one who could provide some value is Liverpool Legend, who runs in Race 5, a MR 74 Handicap for fillies and mares over 2000m. In fact, she is one of the few contenders with form over the distance.
She has run 16 times over 2000m for two wins and six places, so with just 54.5kg on her back could be the one to beat. She had an encouraging last start when returning from a break of almost four-and-a-half months to finish a 1.65-length fourth behind Quite Rebellion over 1800m on the Inside track at Turffontein.
Any improvement on that run could see her contesting the finish. Ant Mgudlwa rode her for the first time on that occasion and he is back in the irons again.
Jack Milner’s selections
Race 1: 2 Uncle Lucky, 5 Full Go, 1 Magic Prince, 3 Soul Captain
Race 2: 3 Global Thunder, 2 Qhawe Lami, 5 Heirloom, 4 Happy Analia
Race 3: 8 Gocekwithlove, 7 Butternutenrooiwyn, 1 Solo Diva, 3 United's Ransom
Race 4: 4 Hazlo Grande, 2 Mo The Man, 1 Greenlight Magic, 3 Elusive Swann
Race 5: 7 Liverpool Legend, 8 Queen Bomi, 1 Ballroom Bliss, 4 Angel's Wish
Race 6: 2 Absolute Value, 1 Monsieur Chevelle, 7 Go Dream Machine, 5 Indian War Dance
Race 7: 3 After Hours, 2 In Cahoots, 6 Green Sceptre, 9 Rockingthetimeaway
Race 8: 1 Insatiable, 2 What A Tiger, 3 Mia Regina, 6 Gimme The Flame
BEST BET
Race 3 No 8 Gocekwithlove
VALUE BET
Race 5 No 7 Liverpool Legend
BEST SWINGER
Race 4 2x4
BIPOT
R216
Leg 1: 1, 2, 5
Leg 2: 2, 3, 5
Leg 3: 8
Leg 4: 2, 4
Leg 5: 1, 4, 7, 8
Leg 6: 1, 2, 7
PLACE ACCUMULATOR
R144
Leg 1: 2, 3
Leg 2: 8
Leg 3: 2, 4
Leg 4: 1, 7, 8
Leg 5: 1, 2, 7
Leg 6: 3
Leg 7: 1, 2, 3, 6
PICK 6
R960
Leg 1: 8
Leg 2: 1, 2, 4
Leg 3: 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 11
Leg 4: 1, 2, 5, 7
Leg 5: 2, 3
Leg 6: 1, 2, 3, 6, 8
JACKPOT 1
R192
Leg 1: 1, 2, 4
Leg 2: 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 11
Leg 3: 1, 2, 5, 7
Leg 4: 2, 3
JACKPOT 2
R320
Leg 1: 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 11
Leg 2: 1, 2, 5, 7
Leg 3: 2, 3
Leg 4: 1, 2, 3, 6, 8