Jack Milner
Blonde Act has really enjoyed the change of scenery and clearly the fresh coastal air is far more invigorating for the four-year-old Act Of War gelding than the ether around Randjesfontein.
He has had four runs since joining Alan Greeff’s Port Elizabeth yard, getting touched off on debut before showing loads of guts to win three reasonably close finishes.
He also has taken quite a liking to the Polytrack as he has won both of his starts on the surface.
Blonde Act was unlucky not win on his local debut when caught too far out of his ground but 1200m was clearly too short for him. He did find a remarkable finishing spurt but the line came just too soon and he went down one length to Picture The Moment.
But once tried over further, he made good progress winning his next three starts over 1600m, 1400m and 2000m respectively. He could still have at least one more win in him and take out Race 5, a MR 82 Handicap over 1600m on the Polytrack on Tuesday.
Those three wins have come at a price of a 13-point hike to his merit rating and a wide draw of No 12 will make it tough for jockey Richard Fourie, but the honest gelding has scope for more improvement.
Greeff has his horses in good order and could be the trainer to follow.
Douglas Devastator has been a disappointment in that he has yet to shed his maiden after nine starts. But he has also been unlucky with a few draws and inexperience at times costing him dearly early on in his career.
However, the three-year-old son of Mambo In Seattle was finally gelded after his penultimate start when a 4.60-length fourth behind King Of Luv over 2200m on the Polytrack on 2 December.
Douglas Devastator was given a 68-day break and returned to the track on 10 February when he put up a most encouraging performance. He produced the fastest final 400m to finish a 0.50-length second behind Equestrian Affair over 1600m on the turf.
He lines up in Race 2, a Maiden Plate over 1900m, and as he is well drawn, should get the run of the race.
This is not the strongest of fields and Douglas Devastator should finally be able to get off the mark. Fourie has quite a decent record on him, having ridden him four times for a close-up second and two thirds.
Jack Milner’s selections
Race 1: 1 Woodland Ridge, 3 Caitlyns Boy, 4 Siberian Fox, 8 Fly Better
Race 2: 1 Douglas Devastator, 2 Space Explorer, 3 Clap Of Thunder, 8 Joe Harman
Race 3: 1 Golightly, 2 Heartsease, 6 Wildest Dreams, 3 Aerial View
Race 4: 1 Guy Alexander, 4 Jaspero, 2 Bold Strike, 6 Almighwaar
Race 5: 1 Blonde Act, 2 King's Crusade, 8 Fire Lord, 5 Silver Tycoon
Race 6: 2 Al Qaasim, 5 Brass Bell, 9 On The Road Again, 1 Life On Mars
Race 7: 4 Naval Secret, 7 Forest Spy, 5 Captain Morisco, 2 Celtillus
Race 8: 8 Iqembulabesifazane, 12 Big Sky Country, 11 Open Secret, 3 Crown Plaza
BEST BET
Race 2 No 1 Douglas Devastator
VALUE BET
Race 6 No 2 Al Qaasim
BEST SWINGER
Race 1 1x3
BIPOT
R72
Leg 1: 1, 3
Leg 2: 1
Leg 3: 1, 2, 6
Leg 4: 1, 2, 4
Leg 5: 1
Leg 6: 1, 2, 5, 9
PLACE ACCUMULATOR
R243
Leg 1: 1
Leg 2: 1, 2, 6
Leg 3: 1, 2, 4
Leg 4: 1
Leg 5: 2, 5, 9
Leg 6: 4, 5, 7
Leg 7: 6, 11, 12
PICK 6
R1600
Leg 1: 1, 2, 3, 6
Leg 2: 1, 2, 4, 5, 6
Leg 3: 1
Leg 4: 1, 2, 5, 9
Leg 5: 2, 4, 5, 7
Leg 6: 3, 6, 7, 11, 12
JACKPOT 1
R80
Leg 1: 1, 2, 4, 5, 6
Leg 2: 1
Leg 3: 1, 2, 5, 9
Leg 4: 2, 4, 5, 7
JACKPOT 2
R80
Leg 1: 1
Leg 2: 1, 2, 5, 9
Leg 3: 2, 4, 5, 7
Leg 4: 3, 6, 7, 11, 12