Laird to lead the way
December 2021
Jack Milner: Laird Of Breedon took six runs before he was able to win his maiden but since then appears to have made major improvement.
What made the difference is that after seven frustrating runs, trainer Corne Spies decided to run the two-year-old son of Crusade in blinkers.
That did the trick as Laird Of Breedon went on to shed his maiden tag immediately. Even though the form line indicates he only managed to beat Flinders Range by 0.40 lengths it was a win full of merit as he was carried out late and still managed to get up and win.
He followed that up with a second behind top-class Rain In Holland in a Juvenile Plate before travelling to Greyville in Durban to contest the Grade 1 Premiers Champion Stakes over 1600m.
Once again Laird Of Breedon did not have the best of fortune as he received a bump late in the race. Nevertheless, he still managed to finish in fifth place, beaten just 2.65 lengths by Good Traveller who later went on to be named the Equus Champion Two-Year-Old Colt.
On Tuesday he makes his first appearance as a three-year-old in Race 7, a Graduation Plate over 1450m on the Vaal Classic track.
While he is not the best weighted runner, he does have the advantage of having won over the course and distance. One also has to believe that Spies means business as he has engaged former champion jockey and current log leader Warren Kennedy to take the ride as regular rider Sherman Brown cannot make the weight of 54.5kg.
It will be a test for the three-year-old but one he is expected to pass with flying colours.
Al Muthana is the best weighted runner and the Australia-bred gelding does stand out as the main threat to Laird Of Breedon.
Mike de Kock’s charge looked to be a champion in waiting following his debut run in which he beat Nourbese by four lengths.
However, he has not fulfilled that promise and has had his issues, but if back to his best the four-year-old son of Deep Field must be in with a winning chance. He has run against a lot stronger than he will face in this event and three of his five races have been in Graded races.
The main concern is that he has not raced since finishing a six-length fourth behind MK’s Pride in a Progress Plate in February and could be in need of a run. Nevertheless, it is interesting to note that De Kock has engaged S’manga Khumalo to ride Al Muthana so it should be worth taking Swingers with Laird Of Breedon.
Jack Milner’s selections
Race 1: 4 Insatiable, 6 Lucy English, 7 Pinky Levine, 5 Love Bite
Race 2: 9 Quick Run, 4 Soweto Rose, 1 King’s Spear, 6 Volluto
Race 3: 7 Cap Estel, 4 Zaviah, 1 Joe Harman, 2 Mister Sky Blue
Race 4: 1 Global Louise, 3 Monashada, 2 Covermeinsunshine, 7 Eshraaq
Race 5: 1 Indian War Dance, 2 Leshawes, 5 Arlington Action, 7 Sabre Rattler
Race 6: 3 Run As One, 13 Amberglo Star, 1 Anatura, 4 Elusive Swann
Race 7: 4 Laird Of Breedon, 3 Al Muthana, 6 Slings And Arrows, 1 Bold Jazz
Race 8: 11 Silvery Blue, 1 Bit Of Fun, 6 Sergei, 5 Timeforthat
BEST BET
Race 3 No 7 Cap Estel
VALUE BET
Race 8 No 11 Silvery Blue
BEST SWINGER
Race 2 4×9
BIPOT
R160
Leg 1: 4, 6
Leg 2: 4, 9
Leg 3: 7
Leg 4: 1, 3
Leg 5: 1, 2, 5, 7
Leg 6: 1, 3, 4, 11, 13
PLACE ACCUMULATOR
R96
Leg 1: 9
Leg 2: 7
Leg 3: 1, 3
Leg 4: 1, 2, 5
Leg 5: 1, 3, 4, 13
Leg 6: 4
Leg 7: 1, 5, 6, 11
PICK 6
R1344
Leg 1: 7
Leg 2: 1, 2, 3
Leg 3: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
Leg 4: 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 10, 11, 13
Leg 5: 4
Leg 6: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 11
JACKPOT 1
R168
Leg 1: 1, 2, 3
Leg 2: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
Leg 3: 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 10, 11, 13
Leg 4: 4
JACKPOT 2
R448
Leg 1: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
Leg 2: 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 10, 11, 13
Leg 3: 4
Leg 4: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 11