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Horse Racing, General News, Alec Laird, Erico Verdonese, Calvin Habib, FIRE ATTACK, CHOISANAADA

Laird launches attack at Sea Cottage Stakes

July 2025

There is a lot to play for when it comes to the Grade 3 Sea Cottage Stakes over 1800m on the Standside track at Turffontein on Sunday.

That will be particularly relevant for the connections of Choisaanada who won the first two legs and will be looking to claim the R500,000 bonus on offer for any horse who can win all three legs.

Erico Verdonese's runner returned to form with victory in Leg 1 of the Winter Series over 1400m and proved that was no flash in the pan by following up over 1600m in the Egoli Mile. The progressive Querari gelding accounted for a Hollywoodbets Durban July contender on each occasion (Immediate Edge in Leg 1 and Grade 1 SA Classic winner Confederate last time out).

However, Choisaanada will have to produce a career-best effort to lower the colours of Grade 1 Premier’s Champions Challenge winner Fire Attack, trained by Alec Laird.

Fire Away colt Fire Attack, Highveld Horse Of The Season at the recent Highveld Awards, has taken his game to new heights during a productive sophomore campaign. He finished second in the Grade 2 Dingaans and Grade 3 Got The Greenlight Stakes before filling the runners-up berth again at Grade 1 level in the SA Classic over the same course and distance of Sunday's feature.

He then round out the season with victory in the Champions Challenge and despite a short break, he will be very hard to beat. Calvin Habib takes the ride.

 

Jack Milner’s selections

Race 1: 3 Eight Hats, 9 Open Sesame, 1 Alta Capitana, 5 Let's Go Lola

Race 2: 4 Shadowfax, 2 Jan Van Goyen, 7 Radio Star, 1 Blizzard Quest

Race 3: 4 Radicchio, 6 Silent War, 5 Wecangoallnight, 2 Fire 'N Flames

Race 4: 4 Constellation, 3 Hemisphere, 2 It's Personal, 6 Lonely As A Cloud

Race 5: 1 Chasing Happiness, 7 Quantum Theory, 5 Taxi To The Moon, 8 Whistle The Tune

Race 6: 2 War Reporter, 3 Futurewolff, 5 Flag Bearer, 6 Rosy Lemon

Race 7: 1 Fire Attack, 3 Choisaanada, 4 Kamensky, 2 Musical Score

Race 8: 7 Red Amber, 3 Alabama Anna, 2 Laughing William, 1 Dancingtothelight

 

BEST BET

Race 7: 1 Fire Attack

VALUE BET

Race 1: 3 Eight Hats

BEST SWINGER

Race 2 2x4

 

BIPOT                          

R162

Leg 1: 1, 3, 9

Leg 2: 4

Leg 3: 4, 5, 6

Leg 4: 3, 4

Leg 5: 1, 5, 7

Leg 6: 2, 3, 5

 

PLACE ACCUMULATOR

R144

Leg 1: 4

Leg 2: 4, 5, 6

Leg 3: 3, 4

Leg 4: 1, 5, 7

Leg 5: 2, 3

Leg 6: 1

Leg 7: 1, 2, 3, 7

 

PICK 6

R1440

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

Leg 2: 2, 3, 4

Leg 3: 1, 5, 7, 8

Leg 4: 2, 3, 5, 6

Leg 5: 1

Leg 6: 2, 3, 4, 7, 8

 

JACKPOT 1

R48

Leg 1: 2, 3, 4

Leg 2: 1, 5, 7, 8

Leg 3: 2, 3, 5, 6

Leg 4: 1

 

JACKPOT 2

R80

Leg 1: 1, 5, 7, 8

Leg 2: 2, 3, 5, 6

Leg 3: 1

Leg 4: 2, 3, 4, 7, 8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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