Jack Milner
After a victory in the Grade 1 L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate at Kenilworth in January Jet Dark had the opportunity to run in the Breeders Cup in the US.
The two meetings at Keeneland this weekend and while it would be a thrill to see how Jet Dark would perform against some of the best in the world, most South Africans are delighted, and even relieved, to see the son of Trippi make his seasonal return at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday.
He will be lining up in Race 8, the Grade 3 Cape Mile and he really stands out in this field.
The dual Queen's Plate (now to become the King’s Plate) winner, two-time Champions Cup hero and 2022 Durban July runner-up Jet Dark may have missed out narrowly on Horse-Of-The-Year honours to stable companion Captain's Ransom but it will be hard to deny him top honours in this event.
The Justin Snaith-trained champion faces just seven rivals and should prove too good for them all, even with 62kg on his back following a 14-week break, his class should prevail.
Also making a return following a 552-day layoff is Golden Ducat, a former winner of the Grade 1 Champions Cup and half-brother to Rainbow Bridge and Hawwaam.
Eric Sands’ charge has not raced since the Drill Hall Stakes at Greyville on 1 May 2021 so he is likely to be in need of the run. But while Sands acknowledges that fact, he does say Golden Ducat is working well.
Rascallion had his last run in December last year and is another making a return, this time for the Vaughan Marshall stable.
The latter's stablemate, Silver Operator, should give Jet Dark most to fear after an encouraging second in a 1400m Grade 3 in a recent comeback.
Jack Milner’s seletions
Race 1: 11 Majestic Queen, 8 Ygritte, 6 Silver Sleet, 5 Global Songstress
Race 2: 15 Quandary, 5 Donder Storm, 6 Sir William, 11 Bullitt
Race 3: 1 Aspect, 7 Storm Boulevard, 6 Mohandas, 16 Rockpool
Race 4: 1 Miss Greenlight, 9 Pacific Green, 8 Different Face, 11 Live My Life
Race 5: 4 Love In Winter, 10 Ragnar Lothbrok, 7 Double Charge, 9 Lunarcam
Race 6: 2 Whoa Whoa Whoa, 5 Stiptelik, 7 Santa Maria, 9 Kwinta's Light
Race 7: 2 Young Love, 7 Rex Union, 1 Belgarion, 5 Salvator Mundi
Race 8: 4 Jet Dark, 1 Silver Operator, 3 Rockin' Ringo, 8 Golden Ducat
Race 9: 2 Max The Otter, 5 Tizona, 7 Cheeky Laddie, 8 Jewlray
BEST BET
Race 8 No 4 Jet Dark
VALUE BET
Race 1 No 11 Majestic Queen
BEST SWINGER
Race 8 1x4
BIPOT
R324
Leg 1: 5, 6, 15
Leg 2: 1, 7
Leg 3: 1, 9
Leg 4: 4, 7, 10
Leg 5: 2, 5, 7
Leg 6: 1, 3, 7
PLACE ACCUMULATOR
R324
Leg 1: 1, 7
Leg 2: 1, 9
Leg 3: 4, 7, 10
Leg 4: 2, 5, 7
Leg 5: 1, 2, 7
Leg 6: 4
Leg 7: 2, 5, 7
PICK 6
R1680
Leg 1: 1, 8, 9, 11
Leg 2: 4, 7, 9, 10
Leg 3: 1, 2, 5, 7, 9
Leg 4: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
Leg 5: 4
Leg 6: 2, 5, 7
JACKPOT 1
R140
Leg 1: 4, 7, 9, 10
Leg 2: 1, 2, 5, 7, 9
Leg 3: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
Leg 4: 4
JACKPOT 2
R105
Leg 1: 1, 2, 5, 7, 9
Leg 2: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
Leg 3: 4
Leg 4: 2, 5, 7