Holding thumbs for Kotzen’s runner

Jack Milner

Trainer Glen Kotzen has an excellent record when raiding the Eastern Cape from his Cape Town base and he can strike again on Friday when he sends Holding Thumbs to contest Race 4 at Fairview, a MR 96 Handicap over 1600m on the turf.

The four-year-old Vercingetorix gelding has raced just 10 times but has already recorded three victories. In August, at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, he notched up win No 2 and followed that up with another facile victory at HWB Durbanville, both events over 1600m.

Kotzen tested his charge against stronger opposition last time but unfortunately nothing went his way. He got bumped, had to ease and it came as no surprise he faded out to finish unplaced.

There is no reason why he cannot get it right this time, especially as Denis Schwarz, who was in the irons for both of those two, will be back on board.

This is the only runner Kotzen is bringing to Fairview so let’s hold thumbs he can get it right and provide a banker for punters in all of their bets.

He is drawn No 7 in the 10-horse field but he does have excellent gate speed and Schwarz should have no problem getting his mount well placed.

In Race 2, a Maiden Plate for fillies and mares over 1400m, Rainbow River makes her local debut for trainer Kelly Mitchley.

This four-year-old daughter of Danon Platina has run some decent races on the Highveld and her best effort came over 1450m when producing the fastest finish to end up a 2.75-length second to Higgledy Piggledy on the Inside track at Turffontein. While yet to win, she always gives of her best and is clearly distance suited.

Muzi Yeni, who rode outsider Smart Star to victory last Saturday in the Grade 1 Singapore Gold Cup at Kranji Racecourse takes the ride on Rainbow River for the very first time.

Jack Milner’s selections

Race 1: 5 Miss Prior, 6 Serendipitous, 4 Cape Flower, 1 String Of Lights

Race 2: 11 Fire Alarm, 1 Rainbow River, 5 Ruby Claire, 6 Laugh Till I Cry

Race 3: 5 Four Jacks, 2 Final Edition, 1 Empire Blue, 4 Timbavati River

Race 4: 9 Holding Thumbs, 1 Sequoia, 4 Fateful Day, 2 Global Ally

Race 5: 1 Symbol Of Love, 4 Articuno, 5 Ella's Delight, 10 Three Cheers

Race 6: 8 Guarding The Wall, 9 Jackson Misissippi, 1 Coastal Path, 4 Aquila Gold

Race 7: 2 September Flower, 4 Queen Of Jazz, 11 Komesans Passion, 6 Free World

Race 8: 1 Captain Tik Tok, 2 Roomformanoeuvre, 7 Marquez, 5 William The First

BEST BET

Race 4 No 9 Holding Thumbs

VALUE BET

Race 5 No 1 Symbol Of Love

BEST SWINGER

Race 3 2x5

BIPOT

R162

Leg 1: 4, 5, 6

Leg 2: 1, 5, 11

Leg 3: 2, 5

Leg 4: 9

Leg 5: 1, 4, 5

Leg 6: 1, 8, 9

PLACE ACCUMULATOR

R216

Leg 1: 1, 11

Leg 2: 2, 5

Leg 3: 9

Leg 4: 1, 4

Leg 5: 1, 8, 9

Leg 6: 2, 4, 11

Leg 7: 1, 2, 7

PICK 6

R1280

Leg 1: 1, 2, 4, 5

Leg 2: 9

Leg 3: 1, 4, 5, 10

Leg 4: 1, 4, 8, 9

Leg 5: 2, 4, 6, 9, 11

Leg 6: 1, 2, 5, 7

JACKPOT 1

R80

Leg 1: 9

Leg 2: 1, 4, 5, 10

Leg 3: 1, 4, 8, 9

Leg 4: 2, 4, 6, 9, 11

JACKPOT 2

R320

Leg 1: 1, 4, 5, 10

Leg 2: 1, 4, 8, 9

Leg 3: 2, 4, 6, 9, 11

Leg 4: 1, 2, 5, 7