James to atone for earlier slip

Jack Milner

Two horses that were strongly fancied by Muzi Yeni in recent weekly columns sadly did not meet expectations – but for different reasons – will be in action at Turffontein on Saturday and hopefully can be redeemed on this occasion.

It is not that they ran badly. The first, two weeks ago, was Atarime, who was scratched on the morning of the race. He will line in Race 9 on the Inside to contest a Middle Stakes over 1600m.

The other runner came up in Race 2 at last week’s meeting, and that was Inspector James. Unfortunately, the Johan Janse van Vuuren-trained runner stumbled as he came out of the stall, dislodging jockey S’manga Khumalo.

The three-year-old What A Winter gelding is back in Race 2 again but unfortunately, as a result of last week’s incident, Khumalo remains medically indisposed and it will be left to Piere Strydom to bring him home on this occasion.

He does look the right horse in this Maiden Plate over 1200m and is the standout bet on quite a tricky card.

Atarime has been a revelation since he was gelded and is unbeaten in his two starts since his return from the rest in which he had that operation.

Hopefully Paul Matchett’s charge has overcome whatever kept him out of that previous race and he will be able to produce his best form.

Interestingly, Yeni will not be aboard this time as he will be riding Argo Alley for St John Gray. They have been incredibly successful of late and that could be a pointer for this race, especially as Argo Alley will run without blinkers on this occasion.

As a result, Jeffrey Syster has picked up the ride on Atarime.  

Another decent bet looks to be Tony Peter-trained Blizzard Snow. The Erupt filly, who runs in Race 1, a Maiden Plate for fillies and mares, looked an unlucky loser last time when caught just short of the post to be beaten by a neck.

This was her second runner-up performance in just two starts and she deserves a winning turn.

She tries racing around the bend this time and this could do the trick for her.

Gavin Lerena takes the ride for the first time.

Jack Milner’s selections

Race 1: 8 Blizzard Snow, 3 Wearingofthegreen, 4 Jilted, 5 Todoque

Race 2: 6 Inspector James, 3 Hair Trigger, 1 Remains Of The Day, 4 Spy Story

Race 3: 2 Glamorous Lady, 5 Fireburst, 3 Messalina, 4 Quello Che

Race 4: 4 Ombudsman, 9 Ichacha, 3 Panning Gold, 6 Lonely As A Cloud

Race 5: 6 Strewn Sky, 4 Twenty Drachma's, 3 Poets Warrior, 2 Prime Example

Race 6: 5 Wolf Mountain, 3 Key News, 6 Zanthar, 8 Prince Of Kildare

Race 7: 5 Willy Meet Again, 6 Oxalis Gold, 8 Future Date, 1 Doitwithdiamonds

Race 8: 9 Bacchus, 3 Willow Express, 6 Force De Dieu, 8 Spring Tradition

Race 9: 7 Atarime, 10 Apache Son, 1 Greeting My Master, 6 King's Express

BEST BET

Race 2: 6 Inspector James

VALUE BET

Race 9: 7 Atarime

BEST SWINGER

Race 3 2x5

BIPOT

R144

Leg 1: 6

Leg 2: 2, 5

Leg 3: 4, 9

Leg 4: 2, 3, 4, 6

Leg 5: 3, 5, 6

Leg 6: 5, 6, 8

PLACE ACCUMULATOR

R216

Leg 1: 2

Leg 2: 4, 9

Leg 3: 3, 4, 6

Leg 4: 3, 5, 6

Leg 5: 5, 6

Leg 6: 3, 9

Leg 7: 1, 7, 10

PICK 6

R1920

Leg 1: 4, 9

Leg 2: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6

Leg 3: 3, 5, 6, 8

Leg 4: 1, 5, 6, 8

Leg 5: 3, 4, 6, 9

Leg 6: 1, 7, 10

JACKPOT 1

R320

Leg 1: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6

Leg 2: 3, 5, 6, 8

Leg 3: 1, 5, 6, 8

Leg 4: 3, 4, 6, 9

JACKPOT 2

R192

Leg 1: 3, 5, 6, 8

Leg 2: 1, 5, 6, 8

Leg 3: 3, 4, 6, 9

Leg 4: 1, 7, 10