It should be Bingwa by a mile

Jack Milner

When they talk about a “miler”, the name Bingwa can be included in the definition.

Seven-year-old gelding Bingwa has now won nine races, including his last two starts, and seven of those victories were over 1600m.

Trained in Joburg by Johan Janse van Vuuren, the son of Pathfork won the Grade 2 Charity Mile two years running but sadly he was just below the top echelons. He did compete in a couple of Grade 1 races and while he did not disgrace himself, Bingwa was unable to beat the best.

Then, just when it seemed his career was over, the decision was taken to send him to Gavin Smith in the Eastern Cape, and the gelding has found a new lease on life. He finished second on debut in the province in a 1400m race and then went on to win the Non-Black Type Fairview 1900, over 1900m.

He returned from a break to win a Pinnacle Stakes over 1600m on the turf and went on to beat Mhlabeni by 0.50 lengths.

Bingwa lines up in Race 4 on Friday, a Pinnacle Stakes over 1600m, on the turf. He should strip fitter this time and is well weighted to win this race comfortably if running anywhere near his merit rating.

Bingwa comes into this race as the best weighted runner by at least 4.5kg and will have Craig Zackey on his back.

The last race at Fairview is usually a nightmare for punters, but in Race 8, a Classified Stakes over 1200m, Coastal Path should go close to winning it this week.

The Global View gelding is not an easy ride and has often found one or two better on the day. He has, however, been very good over this course and distance lately, and Richard Fourie knows how to bring out the best in him.

Jack Milner’s selections

Race 1: 5 North Star, 2 Ready, 1 Above The Horizon, 3 Air Born Lady

Race 2: 4 Mio Destino, 10 Wild Fig, 12 Olive Oyl, 6 Pick A Pomodoro

Race 3: 1 Garden Sun, 2 Henry's Hedge, 4 Pardon Me, 9 Preserve Forever

Race 4: 1 Bingwa, 2 Zinovi, 4 Bush Tracker, 6 Global Ally

Race 5: 10 Winter Emeralds, 3 Dynalley, 1 Final Try, 4 Lanciafiamme

Race 6: 7 Family Power, 8 Fire Alarm, 9 Flower Festival, 6 Chere For Me

Race 7: 1 Kingdundee, 2 Cliff Top, 6 Play Act, 3 Anuschka's World

Race 8: 1 Coastal Path, 13 King Rahul, 5 Imaginable, 9 Bob

BEST BET

Race 1: 5 North Star

VALUE BET

Race 2: 4 Mio Destino

BEST SWINGER

Race 7 1x2

BIPOT                          

R192

Leg 1: 5

Leg 2: 4, 6, 10, 12

Leg 3: 1, 2, 4

Leg 4: 1, 2

Leg 5: 3, 10

Leg 6: 6, 7, 8, 9

PLACE ACCUMULATOR

R216

Leg 1: 4, 10, 12

Leg 2: 1, 2, 4

Leg 3: 1, 2

Leg 4: 3, 10

Leg 5: 7, 8, 9

Leg 6: 1

Leg 7: 1, 13

PICK 6

R1440

Leg 1: 1, 2, 4, 9

Leg 2: 1, 2, 4

Leg 3: 1, 3, 4, 10

Leg 4: 6, 7, 8, 9, 13

Leg 5: 1, 2

Leg 6: 1, 5, 13

JACKPOT 1

R120

Leg 1: 1, 2, 4

Leg 2: 1, 3, 4, 10

Leg 3: 6, 7, 8, 9, 13

Leg 4: 1, 2

JACKPOT 2

R120

Leg 1: 1, 3, 4, 10

Leg 2: 6, 7, 8, 9, 13

Leg 3: 1, 2

Leg 4: 1, 5, 13