Jack Miner: With the dearth of stayers in the country, it is exciting to see a new talent emerging.
It was a shrewd move by St John Gray to acquire Don’t Look Back because Gray has not had to look back since the son of Judpot made his debut for the yard in January. The gelding quickly notched up four successive victories and then followed that up with a two-length third behind Chitengo in the Listed Aquanaut Handicap over 2400m at Turffontein in March.
African Adventure, another excellent staying prospect, was just 0.25 lengths behind him and Joe Soma’s runner went on to a storming 7.75-length victory in the Grade 3 Caradoc Gold Cup over 2850m at Turffontein on Derby Day.
Last time Don’t Look Back was just touched off by Sell High over 1800m, and while that distance could be a touch sharp for Gray’s runner these days, he was still unfortunate to fall foul of a brilliant ride from Piere Strydom on the winner.
There are some excellent races for stayers coming up in KwaZulu-Natal during the winter, culminating in the Gold Cup over 3200m. Those races could be foremost in Gray’s mind when he decided to test his runner over that distance for the first time.
Don’t Look Back is due to line up in Race 5 at the Vaal today, a Middle Stakes over 3200m.
He has 60kg on his back, which is not easy to carry around over this sort of distance, but in spite of that, he is the best handicapped runner by 0.5kg.
Only three of the other seven runners have tried the distance and none of them has managed a win, so the door is open for Don’t Look Back to take the next step.
There does not look to be much pace in the race so they might just crawl which could also work in his favour.
On a tricky card, he looks the best banker on the day. As usual, S’manga Khumalo takes the ride.
Brand New Cadillac finished a distant fourth behind African Adventure in the Listed Racing Association Handicap over this distance last year and he could be the next best runner, while Soma saddles an interesting youngster in Rockpaperscissors.
The four-year-old gelding won his maiden over 2600m easily last time and although out the weights, could have the most room for improvement. He carries just 50kg and has in-form Muzi Yeni up.
Jack Milner’s selections
Race 1: 8 Kissing Booth, 10 Gilda Gray, 1 Meet The Captain, 4 Riveting
Race 2: 12 Only Him, 5 Star Effect, 1 Fort Commander, 6 Light Warrior
Race 3: 2 Irish Rain, 3 Passing Shot, 10 Rainy Season, 9 Prideoffranschhoek
Race 4: 10 Eastbrook, 7 Fantasy Flower, 6 Broadway Babe, 5 Look To The Sky
Race 5: 1 Don’T Look Back, 3 Brand New Cadillac, 7 Rockpaperscissors, 2 Top Shot
Race 6: 7 Diamonds N Dollars, 9 Euphoriant, 15 Mazari, 4 Sekhmet
Race 7: 4 Veld Flower, 1 Bold Fortune, 10 Consol Queen, 12 Miracle And Wonder
Race 8: 3 Stormy Winter, 2 Spanish Boy, 10 August Rain, 8 Last Of The Legend
BEST BET
Race 5 No 1 Don’t Look Back
VALUE BET
Race 7 No 4 Veld Flow
BEST SWINGER
Race 3 2×3
BIPOT
R216
Leg 1: 1, 8, 10
Leg 2: 1, 5, 12
Leg 3: 2, 3
Leg 4: 6, 7, 10
Leg 5: 1
Leg 6: 4, 7, 9, 15
PLACE ACCUMULATOR
R324
Leg 1: 1, 5, 12
Leg 2: 2, 3
Leg 3: 6, 7, 10
Leg 4: 1
Leg 5: 7, 9, 15
Leg 6: 1, 4
Leg 7: 2, 3, 10
PICK 6
R1680
Leg 1: 2, 3
Leg 2: 5, 6, 7, 10
Leg 3: 1
Leg 4: 2, 3, 4, 7, 9, 15
Leg 5: 1, 4, 9, 10, 12
Leg 6: 2, 3, 7, 8, 10, 12, 17
JACKPOT 1
R120
Leg 2: 5, 6, 7, 10
Leg 3: 1
Leg 4: 2, 3, 4, 7, 9, 15
Leg 5: 1, 4, 9, 10, 12
JACKPOT 2
R210
Leg 3: 1
Leg 4: 2, 3, 4, 7, 9, 15
Leg 5: 1, 4, 9, 10, 12
Leg 6: 2, 3, 7, 8, 10, 12, 17