Juveniles start to leave their mark

Jack Milner

We are living in interesting times as far as our current crop of two-year-olds are concerned. Many of them are starting to mature nicely and there are some decent youngsters coming through.

As a result, both races for juveniles on the Inside track at Turffontein on Thursday look intriguing and even though they Maiden Juvenile Plates, both winners could turn out to be quite decent.

Race 2 is made up of colts and geldings and has already lost what looks to be a runner with potential in Halcyon who won last Saturday at Turffontein.

He got up to beat Vibe SA by 0.30 lengths in what was an intriguing tussle between the pair from quite a long way out. Unfortunately, Calvin Habib dropped his crop with some 350m to run and it probably cost him the race.

Nevertheless, there was 8.70 lengths back to the third horse and both Halcyon and Vibe SA should be followed.

That leaves Rondebosch, who finished an eight-length third behind Pistol Pete in the Storm Bird Stakes, and Sakurajima as the main protagonists, as well as some interesting first-timers. Rondebosch looks the one to beat but Richard Fourie will need to overcome a wide draw over this 1200m which is raced around the bend.

Sakurajima takes a drop in distance which could be an issue but he is least drawn in gate No 4 so it should be interesting.

But Race 3, which is for fillies over 1200m, looks more intriguing. Sean Tarry and Fourie team up again with Green Sapphire who ran a two-length fourth behind Little Ballerina on debut and that is excellent form.  

She is a half-sister to Pink Tourmaline who is a seven-time winner and could be very talented so with a run under her belt she does look the one to beat.

However, Johan Janse van Vuuren has a decent filly in Far Reaching with Gavin Lerena up while Mike de Kock sends out Khethiwe’s Destiny with Raymond Danielson in the irons who has run close-up two third places.

Jasck Milner’s selections

Race 1: 7 Scars Of War, 5 Bella's Charm, 2 Like A Butterfly, 8 Silver Parasol

Race 2: 8 Sakurajima, 7 Rondebosch, 2 Key News, 5 Red Legend

Race 3: 3 Green Sapphire, 2 Far Reaching, 4 Khethiwe's Destiny, 1 Bellissivar

Race 4: 8 Force Eight, 2 Alabama Anna, 5 Turbo Power, 7 Max The Otter

Race 5: 6 Zenobia's Gold, 8 Solo Diva, 2 Volare E Mambo, 5 Pretty In Pearls

Race 6: 5 Heart Peaks, 1 Littlemarysunshine, 3 Spring In Heaven, 4 Bonika

Race 7: 5 Trident King, 4 Joker Man, 6 Captain Of Grit, 1 Silent War

Race 8: 8 On Cue, 6 Women Of Fame, 2 Moonshiningthrough, 4 Virginia Beach

Race 9: 5 Lovegrass, 6 Midnight Fusion, 3 Ride On, 1 Happy Analia

BEST BET

Race 1 No 7 Scars Of War

VALUE BET

Race 8 No 8 On Cue

BEST SWINGER

Race 4 2x8

BIPOT

R288

Leg 1: 2, 7, 8

Leg 2: 3

Leg 3: 2, 8

Leg 4: 2, 6, 8

Leg 5: 1, 3, 4, 5

Leg 6: 1, 4, 5, 6

PLACE ACCUMULATOR

R216

Leg 1: 3

Leg 2: 2, 8

Leg 3: 2, 6, 8

Leg 4: 1, 3, 5

Leg 5: 4, 5, 6

Leg 6: 2, 4, 6, 8

Leg 7: 5

PICK 6

R1500

Leg 1: 2, 5, 8

Leg 2: 2, 4, 5, 6, 8

Leg 3: 1, 3, 4, 5, 6

Leg 4: 1, 4, 5, 6, 8

Leg 5: 2, 4, 5, 6, 8

Leg 6: 5

JACKPOT 1

R500

Leg 1: 2, 4, 5, 6, 8

Leg 2: 1, 3, 4, 5, 6

Leg 3: 1, 4, 5, 6, 8

Leg 4: 2, 4, 5, 6, 8

JACKPOT 2

R125

Leg 1: 1, 3, 4, 5, 6

Leg 2: 1, 4, 5, 6, 8

Leg 3: 2, 4, 5, 6, 8

Leg 4: 5