Jack Milner
While only nine horses have been carded to go to post for the World Sports Betting East Cape Derby over 2400m at Fairview on Friday, this looks a highly competitive race.
The biggest concern for punters is that only one of the runners has contested a race over the distance and that was in a Maiden Plate.
Justin Snaith is the lone raider in a race contested by just four trainers. Snaith has two runners who will take on the two giants of Port Elizabeth racing, Gavin Smith who has three runners, and Alan Greeff with two.
The other two spots are taken by up-and-coming Kelly Mitchley, who looks quite happy to challenge the big guns for a share of the R350,000 stake.
Snaith has two runners in Cosmic Event and Machete Man, both of whom have excellent form over 2000m. Cosmic Event was used as the hare in the Grade 1 Cape Derby over 2000m and faded out late to finish 10.90 lengths behind See It Again.
He then came out to in his next start over the same course and distance but the time was around 1.60 seconds slower than the Derby. There has to be some doubt whether he will see out the additional 400m.
The same applies to Smith-trained Perfection who tried 2000m last time but faded out to finish third, beaten 2.50 lengths by Heathcliff, who reopposes in this race.
There was a lot to look about the manner in which Greeff’s charge won that race and he could be the one they all have to beat. The Canford Cliffs gelding has a liking for this course for two wins and two places from four starts.
Richard Fourie takes the ride.
Smith and Snaith could fight out the Listed Dahlia Plate for two-year-olds over 1200m. Snaith has a particularly strong entry in filly Golden Sickle who has placed in two features in the Western Cape.
In her last start she finished second behind October Morn who franked the form on Wednesday when beaten just 0.40 lengths in the Grade 3 Winter Nursery at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth.
Smith saddles Vision Of Wonder, a facile winner of his last two races, including the East Cape Nursery which he won by 3.25 lengths.
Jack Milner’s selections
Race 1: 11 Miss Tucker, 1 Siberian Fox, 14 Successful Lady, 12 Mediteraneangoddes
Race 2: 1 Ilha Da Mauricia, 5 Ponderosa Pine, 4 Anna Karenina, 3 Powers That Be
Race 3: 8 Teatro, 6 Slings And Arrows, 1 Ferrari Ice, 2 Safe Return
Race 4: 10 Bournemouth, 3 Secret Is Ours, 7 Brenden James, 4 Equestrian Affair
Race 5: 2 And We Danced, 3 Belle Of Belize, 1 Ekoria, 6 Unconditional Love
Race 6: 1 Vision Of Wonder, 5 Golden Sickle, 4 Luna Halo, 3 The Winter Lake
Race 7: 2 Heathcliff, 1 Perfection, 3 Cosmic Event, 7 Quasimodo
Race 8: 1 Blonde Act, 2 Jacob's Ladder, 7 American Landing, 4 King's Crusade
Race 9: 3 First Origin, 1 Slim Jannie, 2 Coastal Path, 7 Great Melody
BEST BET
Race 5 No 2 And We Danced
VALUE BET
Race 3 No 8 Teatro
BEST SWINGER
Race 2 1x5
BIPOT
R180
Leg 1: 1, 5
Leg 2: 1, 6, 8
Leg 3: 3, 10
Leg 4: 2
Leg 5: 1, 4, 5
Leg 6: 1, 2, 3, 7, 9
PLACE ACCUMULATOR
R288
Leg 1: 1, 6, 8
Leg 2: 3, 10
Leg 3: 2
Leg 4: 1, 4, 5
Leg 5: 1, 2, 3, 7
Leg 6: 1
Leg 7: 1, 2, 3, 7
PICK 6
R864
Leg 1: 3, 4, 7, 10
Leg 2: 2
Leg 3: 1, 3, 4, 5
Leg 4: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Leg 5: 1
Leg 6: 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8
JACKPOT 1
R36
Leg 1: 2
Leg 2: 1, 3, 4, 5
Leg 3: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Leg 4: 1
JACKPOT 2
R216
Leg 1: 1, 3, 4, 5
Leg 2: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Leg 3: 1
Leg 4: 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8