Jack Milner
There looks to be a good double for bettors at the Vaal on Tuesday and both runners stand out as bankers in all the exotics.
Watchman looked hard to beat in his second start of an excellent debut but the word was out Fabian Habib-trained Blaze A Way was producing some excellent work at home and his trainer thought he could take on the Tony Peter-trained odds-on favourite.
Watchman got the job done, although Blaze A Way did push for most of the race, but in the end the winning distance was 3.10 lengths. However, Blaze A Way shifted around under pressure and should have come on markedly for that run. He will appreciate going further in Race 2 a Maiden Plate over 1100m, and this gelded son of Gimmethegreenlight rates the one to beat.
Gavin Lerena rode him on debut and is in the irons once again.
In Race 4, a Maiden Plate over 1400m, lightly raced three-year-old Lets Play Poker tries a little further after having raced over 1000m and 1160m. Following two runner-up spots in her first two races she ran a shocker when well beaten behind So Seductive over 1160m at Turffontein.
However, she pulled up distressed and that run is best forgotten.
She was tried in blinkers for that start which were removed after that.
The Mike and Adam Azzie-trained daughter of Gimmethegreenlight shrugged that run off following a short rest in her next start, producing the fastest finish over 1000m to end up a 1.30-length third behind Tyson The Brave.
The manner of that finish gives one the impression she will love the extra 400m this time, especially up the straight.
Kabelo Matsunyane takes the ride for the first time.
Jack Milner’s selections
Race 1: 7 Take Your Place, 8 Vulcanite, 6 Summer Winter, 4 Mother City
Race 2: 4 Blaze A Way, 7 Ombudsman, 1 Antonio Gaudi, 9 Varjury
Race 3: 1 Sutherland, 2 Pressonregardless, 3 Storm Ahead, 10 Confederate
Race 4: 1 Lets Play Poker, 5 Manz Knight, 1 Douglas Dragon, 8 Oranjemund, 2 Master Tik Tok
Race 6: 1 City Lights, 8 Party Punch, 2 Butternutenrooiwyn, 3 Incredible Indrani
Race 7: 1 Rulership, 4 Captain Hindsight, 2 Mover And Shaker, 3 Sheldon
Race 8: 4 Captain Of Grit, 8 Open Highway, 6 Max The Magician
BEST BET
Race 2: 4 Blaze A Way
VALUE BET
Race 5: 5 Manz Knight
BEST SWINGER
Race 7 1x4
BIPOT
R240
Leg 1: 6, 7, 8
Leg 2: 4
Leg 3: 1, 2, 3, 10
Leg 4: 1
Leg 5: 1, 2, 5, 8
Leg 6: 1, 2, 3, 5, 8
PLACE ACCUMULATOR
R288
Leg 1: 4
Leg 2: 1, 2, 3
Leg 3: 1
Leg 4: 1, 5, 8
Leg 5: 1, 2, 5, 8
Leg 6: 1, 4
Leg 7: 4, 5, 6, 8
PICK 6
R2100
Leg 1: 1, 2, 3, 4, 10, 11
Leg 2: 1
Leg 3: 1, 2, 3, 5, 8
Leg 4: 1, 2, 3, 5, 8
Leg 5: 1, 4
Leg 6: 1, 4, 5, 6, 8, 12, 13
JACKPOT 1
R50
Leg 1: 1
Leg 2: 1, 2, 3, 5, 8
Leg 3: 1, 2, 3, 5, 8
Leg 4: 1, 4
JACKPOT 2
R350
Leg 1: 1, 2, 3, 5, 8
Leg 2: 1, 2, 3, 5, 8
Leg 3: 1, 4
Leg 4: 1, 4, 5, 6, 8, 12, 13