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