Jack Milner
As retired jockey Anthony Delpech, who now is Hollywood’s racing manager, came from Madagascar and was brought up talking French, it was decided to name a horse after his record-winning total in the jockeys’ championship in French.
So, 334 became Trois Trois Quatre, and was trained by Mike de Kock, for whom Delpech rode a large proportion of his winners.
Of course, two seasons back Richard Fourie broke that record and keeping the tradition alive, a horse was named after his number of winners – 378 – but also in French.
So, we now have Trois Sept Huit, who also runs in the Hollywood colours and is trained by Lucinda Woodruff.
The son of Rafeef did not perform particularly well in his first two starts and the decision was taken to geld him on 13 November. He made his return to the track on 13 January and put up a highly improved performance over 1000m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, finishing third behind Trailfinder, and beaten just 0.95 lengths.
That was his first try over 1000m and what made the effort most credible is that he lost ground at the start and then produced the fastest 400m to finish.
It was his first run after a two-month rest, and he should strip fitter this time when he lines up in Race 2, an Apprentice Maiden Plate once again over 1000m, again at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Wednesday.
What strengthens his case even more is that he will be getting the services of 2.5kg claiming apprentice Dezahn Louw.
He is marked as a 4kg claimer in the Computaform but he passed the 20-winners mark on 15 February and his claim has now been reduced.
This is not the strongest of races and Trois Sept Huit stands out as the best bet on the card.
Jack Milner’s selections
Race 1: 8 Winter Pirate, 6 Made In Chelsea, 7 Rich Man's World, 11 Lenoxx
Race 2: 9 Trois Sept Huit, 4 Fortune One, 8 Hedrivesmecrazy, 7 Red Wave
Race 3: 2 Tothemoonandback, 5 Twice The Master, 1 Elegant Noble, 3 Gold Index
Race 4: 5 Kituba, 2 Little Nimbus, 8 Kisses, 1 Miss Attitude
Race 5: 5 Pacific Waters, 3 Beautiful One, 11 April Fools' Day, 9 Up In Flames
Race 6: 1 Sommerstern, 4 United Front, 6 Ocean Sky, 9 Delta Pride
Race 7: 3 Lovers Lane, 7 Avignon, 8 Im The Buzz, 1 Hiawatha Goldberg
Race 8: 10 Meg's Legacy, 2 Given To Fly, 6 Silver Salute, 3 Act Of Grace
BEST BET
Race 2: 9 Trois Sept Huit
VALUE BET
Race 7: 3 Lovers Lane
BEST SWINGER
Race 5 3x5
BIPOT
R288
Leg 1: 6, 7, 8, 11
Leg 2: 9
Leg 3: 1, 2, 3, 5
Leg 4: 2, 5, 8
Leg 5: 3, 5
Leg 6: 1, 4, 6
PLACE ACCUMULATOR
R324
Leg 1: 9
Leg 2: 1, 2, 5
Leg 3: 2, 5, 8
Leg 4: 2, 5
Leg 5: 1, 4
Leg 6: 3, 7, 8
Leg 7: 2, 6, 10
PICK 6
R2304
Leg 1: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Leg 2: 1, 2, 5, 8
Leg 3: 3, 5
Leg 4: 1, 4, 6
Leg 5: 1, 3, 7, 8
Leg 6: 2, 3, 6, 10
JACKPOT 1
R96
Leg 1: 1, 2, 5, 8
Leg 2: 3, 5
Leg 3: 1, 4, 6
Leg 4: 1, 3, 7, 8
JACKPOT 2
R96
Leg 1: 3, 5
Leg 2: 1, 4, 6
Leg 3: 1, 3, 7, 8
Leg 4: 2, 3, 6, 10