Jack Milner: The withdrawal of Nexus from Sunday’s R600,000 KZN Breeders Mile (Non-Black Type) on turf has paved the way for Copper Mountain to claim a feature-race victory.
Nexus was accepted to run by trainer Justin Snaith but when the field for the Vodacom Durban July, to be run a week later, was revealed, his charge had made it into the main field. As a result, the connections unsurprisingly opted for the R2-million feature next week.
All eight races on the card, split between the Polytrack and turf track, are Non-Black Type features sponsored by the KwaZulu-Natal Breeders Association and that has led to some really good racing on the day.
It could turn out to be a lucrative day for punters as there is a carryover of R1 million kick-starting the Pick 6 and the pool is likely to reach R5 million.
Three-year-old Copper Mountain stands out as the best bet on the card and looks the best banker on the day.
He finished second to current Durban July favourite Got The Greenlight in his penultimate start and none of his competitors can match that kind of form.
The Johan Janse van Vuuren-trained runner was then aimed at the Grade 1 Daily News 2000 where he was to give a good account of himself but sadly for his connections, nothing went his way.
He started off at a disadvantage because he had to jump from a wide gate, but to make it worse, his saddle slipped in running and that made him very hard to control.
He was still only beaten 4.30 lengths by some of the best three-year-olds in the country.
Gavin Lerena rode him last time and he will have a great opportunity to make up for that defeat.
Another possible banker is Royal Wulff in Race 4 over 1200m. He is unbeaten in four starts since he was gelded and he is expected to extend that streak. The only concern is that this race will be run on the Polytrack and Alec Laird’s charge has not raced on the track.
He is trained at Randjesfontein where there is a Polytrack so hopefully the adjustment from the turf will not be a problem.
Jack Milner’s selections
Race 1: 7 Miss Magician, 1 Voltron, 6 Franca, 4 Street Dancing
Race 2: 8 Elmo, 1 Sikhulu, 2 Not Your Call, 4 Kuuma
Race 3: 9 Winter Smoke, 5 Linear, 2 Dubawi Princess, 6 Varina
Race 4: 6 Royal Wulff, 7 Ishnana, 10 Ad Altisima, 2 Hard To Play
Race 5: 6 Run April Run, 2 Wishful Girl Linn, 5 Fire Faerie, 1 Tupelo Honey
Race 6: 9 Caliente, 1 Gaian Glory, 2 Against The Grain, 5 Prince Of Taranto
Race 7: 7 Copper Mountain, 3 Willow Express, 6 Chijmes, 2 Rouge Allure
Race 8: 9 Irish Wonder Girl, 3 Have A Go Jo, 10 Truly Wicked, 8 Tiger Tank
BEST BET
Race 7 No 7 Copper Mountain
VAUE BET
Race 6 No 9 Caliente
BEST SWINGER
Race 1 1×7
BIPOT
R162
Leg 1: 7
Leg 2: 1, 2, 8
Leg 3: 2, 5, 9
Leg 4: 6, 7
Leg 5: 2, 5, 6
Leg 6: 1, 2, 9
PLACE ACCUMULATOR
R192
Leg 1: 1, 8
Leg 2: 5, 9
Leg 3: 6, 7
Leg 4: 2, 6
Leg 5: 1, 2, 9
Leg 6: 7
Leg 7: 3, 8, 9, 10
PICK 6
R1890
Leg 1: 2, 5, 9
Leg 2: 6, 7, 10
Leg 3: 1, 2, 5, 6, 7
Leg 4: 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 9
Leg 5: 7
Leg 6: 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9
JACKPOT 1
R90
Leg 1: 6, 7, 10
Leg 2: 1, 2, 5, 6, 7
Leg 3: 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 9
Leg 4: 7
JACKPOT 2
R180
Leg 1: 1, 2, 5, 6, 7
Leg 2: 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 9
Leg 3: 7
Leg 4: 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9