Richard Fourie looks to be well be on his way to a record-breaking first jockey’s title. Judged on current statistics and having already ridden 275 winners with just under three months to go in the season, he could eclipse Anthony Delpech’s 334 winners with weeks to spare.
On Wednesday he has some interesting rides on the Polytrack at Hollywoodbets Greyville, including one for trainer Louis Goosen who is also set to have a good day.
Mask On didn’t show much even though given time. Racing late as a three-year-old he also did little on the poly, but Goosen got him to win two in a row after a flying second-place finish following an eight-month break.
Goosen has often showed he can get moderate sorts to run above their rating.
Mask On also produced strong finishes when racing in higher class company, showing he was not just a one-trick pony.
Last time out, he did run slightly below expectation when finishing 5.35-lengths off B Fiftytwo.
But Mask On has also been hampered by bad draws, so it may be that Goosen left a bit of meat on the bone while waiting for a plum gate.
In Race 6, a MR70 Handicap over 1000m, he has drawn in pole position, and it is significant that Fourie is up this time. He should have every chance of turning the form around with both Chara Sands (now drawn widest) and stablemate Cotton Ron.
Fourie is the one to beat on form horse and best bet Canford Queen in Race 3. She stands out on her improved last run on the Polytrack and while Ntombenhle has decent form, she hasn’t been convincing on the surface.
Fourie could also be on the right one in Race 5 aboard Cupid’s Song. At the moment it would take a brave bettor to leave him out of anything.
Jack Milner’s selections
Race 1: 8 Always Shining, 2 The Mask, 1 Bound By Destiny, 4 Move To Prove
Race 2: 1 Vision To Achieve, 5 War Empress, 4 Micke's Bomb, 2 Hot Pearl
Race 3: 6 Canford Queen, 2 Ntombenhle, 9 City Lights, 8 Floral Fantasy
Race 4: 7 Fine Admiral, 6 Tom's Act, 9 Tin Cup, 10 Wave Warrior
Race 5: 3 Cupid's Song, 2 Teichman, 4 Teatime Tipple, 1 Lucky Dollar
Race 6: 1 Mask On, 9 Chara Sands, 7 Rugger Lover, 4 Cotton Ron
Race 7: 5 Perfect Trust, 1 Poursomesugaronme, 8 Emerald Green, 6 Blush Of Dawn
Race 8: 9 Puff Of Smoke, 6 Cerulean Dancer, 10 Chelsea Flower, 2 Vision Of Will
BEST BET
Race 3 No 6 Canford Queen
VALUE BET
Race 8 No 9 Puff Of Smoke,
BEST SWINGER
Race 3 2x6
BIPOT
R108
Leg 1: 1, 2, 8
Leg 2: 1, 5
Leg 3: 6
Leg 4: 6, 7
Leg 5: 2, 3, 4
Leg 6: 1, 7, 9
PLACE ACCUMULATOR
R162
Leg 1: 1
Leg 2: 6
Leg 3: 6, 7
Leg 4: 2, 3, 4
Leg 5: 1, 7, 9
Leg 6: 1, 5, 8
Leg 7: 6, 9, 10
PICK 6
R960
Leg 1: 6
Leg 2: 6, 7, 9
Leg 3: 1, 2, 3, 4
Leg 4: 1, 4, 7, 9
Leg 5: 1, 3, 5, 6, 8
Leg 6: 2, 6, 9, 10
JACKPOT 1
R240
Leg 1: 6, 7, 9
Leg 2: 1, 2, 3, 4
Leg 3: 1, 4, 7, 9
Leg 4: 1, 3, 5, 6, 8
JACKPOT 2
R320
Leg 1: 1, 2, 3, 4
Leg 2: 1, 4, 7, 9
Leg 3: 1, 3, 5, 6, 8
Leg 4: 2, 6, 9, 10