One of the favourites to win this season’s National Jockey’s title, Richard Fourie, could have a good day on Sunday at Hollywoodbets Greyville.
His best ride comes up in the topliner on the card, Race 6, a Pinnacle Stakes over 1000m, which has an average merit rating of 98, where he rides Coin Spinner.
Both Rulership and Coin Spinner were impeded by a loose horse (Tchaikovsky) to varying degrees when they met last time but Coin Spinner was also hampered at the start of that race.
It is a strong contest with Graded performers like Good Traveller in the hunt but Coin Spinner, having drawn in gate No 1 and Rulership in No 3, could take advantage. Certainly, the pair can be ‘floated’ in Trifectas and Quartets but Coin Spinner, being better weighted than Rulership on official merit ratings, is worth a solid win and place bet.
Fourie-ridden Galaxy Explorer has been priced up at 15-10 in Race 2, a Maiden Plate over 1600m. Like Coin Spinner he is trained by Tony Rivalland who usually uses Fourie for his best horses, but unlike Coin Spinner he hasn’t been too convincing.
Even so, his form thus far looks good enough in a weak heat and main opposition such as Fire Tonic and Player X could have too much to do from wide gates, especially with master tactician Fourie likely to take aim early from a good starting stall.
The Cape-based rider has good rides throughout but one of his most interesting mounts is three-year-old filly Mia’s Athena who makes her handicap debut in Race 7, a MR 84 Handicap over 1200m.
She was costly to follow earlier but looks to have grown in size and confidence all the while. She impressed at this venue over 1000m in her maiden win and the horses eho finished behind her, Kian’s Pride and Pretty Analia, have come out to frank the form.
Jack Milner’s selections
Race 1: 6 Johnny The Thief, 1 Helsinki, 5 Scampton
Race 2: 2 Galaxy Explorer, 9 Player X, 7 Fire Tonic, 6 Attaboy
Race 3: 9 Miss Paget, 6 Hot Strike, 3 Miss Gibson, 1 Princess Ozma
Race 4: 1 El Dante, 5 Rodriguez, 9 Trusova, 10 Purpleninjaturtle
Race 5: 5 Papa C, 6 Dance To The Music, 3 Twice Golden, 2 Madison Blues
Race 6: 1 Coin Spinner, 10 Pray For Rain, 3 Rulership, 6 Good Traveller
Race 7: 2 Mia's Athena, 5 Imperious Destiny, 3 Bonne Bouche, 9 Acacia's Blossom
Race 8: 5 Lake Como, 7 Winter Waves, 1 Senor Garcia, 10 Sundance Kid
BEST BET
Race 1 No 6 Johnny The Thief
VALUE BET
Race 4 No 1 El Dante
BEST SWINGER
Race 7 2x5
BIPOT
R243
Leg 1: 6
Leg 2: 2, 7, 9
Leg 3: 3, 6, 9
Leg 4: 1, 5, 9
Leg 5: 3, 5, 6
Leg 6: 1, 3, 10
PLACE ACCUMULATOR
R216
Leg 1: 2, 7, 9
Leg 2: 6, 9
Leg 3: 1, 5
Leg 4: 3, 5, 6
Leg 5: 1, 10
Leg 6: 2
Leg 7: 1, 5, 7
PICK 6
R1152
Leg 1: 1, 3, 6, 9
Leg 2: 1, 5, 9, 10
Leg 3: 2, 3, 5, 6
Leg 4: 1, 3, 10
Leg 5: 2, 5
Leg 6: 1, 5, 7
JACKPOT 1
R96
Leg 1: 1, 5, 9, 10
Leg 2: 2, 3, 5, 6
Leg 3: 1, 3, 10
Leg 4: 2, 5
JACKPOT 2
R72
Leg 1: 2, 3, 5, 6
Leg 2: 1, 3, 10
Leg 3: 2, 5
Leg 4: 1, 5, 7