Jack Milner
Two items appear to have altered the fortunes of Lamborghreeni – distance and blinkers.
Based purely on breeding, long distances did not appear to be in his DNA as he is by Gimmethegreenlight out of a Trippi mare. That sort of breeding points more to middle than marathon, but the dam, San Trip, has Fort Wood blood in her DNA and she won four races over 1900m and 2000m.
After Lamborghreeni’s first two runs, both over 2000m, trainer Paul Peter decided to fit him in blinkers and put him back over 2000m. After leading for much of the journey he faded out, and although he ended up in third place, it was 12 lengths behind Sea Of Galilee.
It was then decided to try him over 2400m on the Standside track at Turffontein and this time there was no mistake. Lamborghreeni took the lead early on and was never in trouble as he ran out a four-length winner over Flag Bearer, even though jockey Warren Kennedy briefly dropped the rein.
His next race was over 2600m on the Inside track at Turffontein in a Classified Stakes and to use an old racing expression, the three-year-old gelding showed his opposition a clean pair of heels as he raced away to beat Kurt’s Approval by 2.70 lengths.
Lamborghreeni returns to the same course and distance on Tuesday to contest a MR 78 Handicap and looks well prepared to make it a hat-trick of victories.
The one change is that Muzi Yeni takes the ride for the first time and as he is in the form of his life right now, and his wonderful judgement of pace makes him the ideal jockey on this strong frontrunner, especially as he carries just 53kg.
The scratching of Rule Book undoubtedly upped the chances of Lamborghreeni but it has also opened the door for Flying First Class as his main danger.
The David Nieuwenhuizen-trained filly has only run twice over the course and distance in which she clocked up a victory and a narrow second place when 0.40 lengths behind Kurt’s Approval.
Her last run saw her finish 3.25 lengths behind Rule Book so despite having to give 7kg to Lamborghreeni, the four-year-old daughter of Silvano must be in with a decent chance and needs to be included in all bets.
Nieuwenhuizen has two other runners in what is now a seven-horse field so he should be able to get the ideal pace for his filly, ensuring Lamborghreeni is not able to dictate matters at his own pace.
It should be an interesting tactical race which in-form Calvin Habib should enjoy aboard Flying First Class.
Jack Milner’s selections
Race 1: 1 Great Times, 8 Iron Fist, 10 Magic Flower, 2 Sardo Numspa
Race 2: 9 Outlaw, 6 Inventrix, 8 Mrs Browning, 1 Simply Magic
Race 3: 3 Toffas, 2 Kotinos, 8 Manhattan, 6 Shikoku
Race 4: 3 Roha, 13 Call Me Master, 7 Sage King, 6 Letsdoit
Race 5: 5 Lamborghreeni, 1 Flying First Class, 3 Arlington Action, 6 My True North
Race 6: 5 Dark Travel, 1 Let There Be Light, 7 Stunning Kitten, 4 Last Cheer
Race 7: 11 Kind Judy, 8 Bellevarde, 7 Franklin, 4 Irish Wonder Girl
Race 8: 8 Mingshi, 1 Qunetra, 11 Liverpool Legend, 9 Cape Bouquet
BEST BET
Race 2 No 9 Outlaw
VALUE BET
Race 4 No 3 Roha
BEST SWINGER
Race 1 1x8
BIPOT
R72
Leg 1: 1, 8
Leg 2: 9
Leg 3: 2, 3, 8
Leg 4: 3, 7, 13
Leg 5: 1, 5
Leg 6: 1, 5, 7
PLACE ACCUMULATOR
R216
Leg 1: 9
Leg 2: 2, 3, 8
Leg 3: 3, 7, 13
Leg 4: 1, 5
Leg 5: 1, 5
Leg 6: 7, 8, 11
Leg 7: 1, 8
PICK 6
R1440
Leg 1: 2, 3, 6, 8, 10
Leg 2: 3, 6, 7, 13
Leg 3: 1, 5
Leg 4: 1, 4, 5, 7
Leg 5: 7, 8, 11
Leg 6: 1, 8, 11
JACKPOT 1
R96
Leg 1: 3, 6, 7, 13
Leg 2: 1, 5
Leg 3: 1, 4, 5, 7
Leg 4: 7, 8, 11
JACKPOT 2
R72
Leg 1: 1, 5
Leg 2: 1, 4, 5, 7
Leg 3: 7, 8, 11
Leg 4: 1, 8, 11