Jack Milner
Trainer Paul Lafferty could have a big night on the turf track at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Friday evening, and it would not be a shock to see him come away with a treble.
Friday night meetings at the Durban track are always well attended, especially at this time of the year, and there is an eight-race card for punters to enjoy.
Lafferty has a strong hand in Races 1, 3 and 4 where he sends out Good Living, One Armed Bandit and View Of The World respectively.
Good Living contests a Maiden Plate over 1400m and although this three-year-old gelding has had a number of opportunities this could be his best chance. It is worth noting that this son of Querari’s best race was over 1400m and it is kind of surprising it took another five runs before he has been put over that distance again.
On that occasion he finished a 1.70-length second behind Night Rocker at Hollywoodbets Scottsville. He had one more race before he was gelded and his form since then has been adequate, but those runs was over 1000m and 1200m.
Calvin Habib takes the ride.
Habib will also be aboard View Of the World in Race 4, a MR 72 Handicap over 1800m.
This three-year-old son of Ideal World has been ultra-consistent of late with his last four runs yielding two wins followed by two third places. He won his maiden over 1600m at this course and followed that up with a second victory over 1750m at Scottsville.
After that he contested the Non-Black Type Model Man Mile against far stronger and di well to finish third behind 8-10 favourite Artist’s Model.
Last time out he stayed on nicely to finish 2.70 lengths behind Johnny The Thief over 1900m at this track.
Lafferty appears to have found the ideal race for One Armed Bandit who contests a Maiden Plate over 1800m. This is not the strongest of fields with only Frank Robinson-trained Richardthefearless looking any kind of threat. However, he only improved on the Polytrack last time and going back to the turf might not be ideal.
The distance is the interesting factor because on his dam’s side, Trip Poker has produced mainly sprinters. But One Armed Bandit is by One World and perhaps he will be looking for this distance.
He was gelded after his penultimate run and was sent off at 9-10 to win his first starts back over 1200m at this course. He just did not have the early speed but ran on nicely to run second and that could be a pointer to the fact he is looking for further.
Deryl Daniels has ridden him in all of his starts and will be back in the irons for this race.
Jack Milner’s selections
Race 1: 7 Good Living, 3 Star Of The Future, 6 Emoyeni, 9 Prince Florian
Race 2: 3 Hodgepodge, 1 The Ghost, 5 Qondanekukhanyeni, 2 Spring Kiss
Race 3: 2 One Armed Bandit, 4 Richardthefearless, 1 Silver Platter, 5 King Celtillus
Race 4: 3 View Of The World, 5 Nightjar, 1 Shotgun Willie, 2 Bom Bom
Race 5: 5 Littleblackgem, 2 Prankster, 1 Jet Lavish, 8 Hereinafter
Race 6: 7 Mexican Pete, 5 Mr Master Starter, 8 Smorgasbord, 1 Good Traveller
Race 7: 3 Imposing, 2 Lord Wylie, 7 Bowie, 6 Giambattista
Race 8: 4 JP's Palace, 7 Celtic Chief, 5 Savantrix, 1 Comedy Club
BEST BET
Race 3 No 2 One Armed Bandit
VALUE BET
Race 1 No 7 Good Living
BEST SWINGER
Race 3 2x4
BIPOT
R162
Leg 1: 3, 6, 7
Leg 2: 1, 3
Leg 3: 2
Leg 4: 1, 3, 5
Leg 5: 1, 2, 5
Leg 6: 5, 7, 8
PLACE ACCUMULATOR
R324
Leg 1: 1, 3
Leg 2: 2
Leg 3: 1, 3, 5
Leg 4: 1, 2, 5
Leg 5: 5, 7
Leg 6: 2, 3, 7
Leg 7: 4, 5, 7
PICK 6
R960
Leg 1: 2
Leg 2: 1, 2, 3, 5
Leg 3: 1, 2, 5, 8
Leg 4: 5, 7, 8
Leg 5: 2, 3, 6, 7
Leg 6: 1, 2, 4, 5, 7
JACKPOT 1
R192
Leg 1: 1, 2, 3, 5
Leg 2: 1, 2, 5, 8
Leg 3: 5, 7, 8
Leg 4: 2, 3, 6, 7
JACKPOT 2
R240
Leg 1: 1, 2, 5, 8
Leg 2: 5, 7, 8
Leg 3: 2, 3, 6, 7
Leg 4: 1, 2, 4, 5, 7