Lucky in a battle at Fairview

Jack Milner

Highveld-based trainer Lucky Houdalakis makes a very rare visit to Fairview on Friday with only one horse, who will take on the best stayers in the Eastern Cape in Race 6, the Port Elizabeth Gold Cup (Non-Black Type) over 3200m.

Battleground is one of the few runners in the field who has raced over this marathon trip and is the only runner to have had a modicum of success aboard this four-year-old Futura gelding.

That was in the Listed Gold Bowl at Turffontein in April where he finished a two-length third behind Crimson King with Breeze Over splitting the pair.

That was a far stronger field than any of Friday’s opposition have met and with S’manga Khumalo, who is currently in top form, in the irons, Battleground could prove a tough nut to crack.

Of the local runners, Gavin Smith-trained Zatara Magic won over 2800m at this course, beating Medlars Tart by 1.25 lengths, so should have no problems with the longer distance.

He had Bournemouth 12.85 lengths behind him that day but do not be surprised if that form gets completely turned around.

Bournemouth ran in snatches that day and was eased out of the race in the closing stages.

The rides of Richard Fourie have impressed all season as have Bournemouth’s wins over 2400m in January this year and September last year.

There is a possibility that Bournemouth is at best over 2400m, but we will only know for sure on Friday afternoon.

This list of possible winners does not stop there as Smith is backed up by Peace In Our World who is back to his best and will not go down without a fight.

Earlier on the card trainer Alan Greeff could get punters off to a good start as Walt Whitman and Ellorix, in Races 3 and 4 respectively, look likely to get out of the maiden ranks.

Jack Milner’s selections

Race 1: 6 Bella Attrice, 2 Igugulethu, 1 And Action, 7 Gotcha Buzz

Race 2: 7 Queen Of Jazz, 5 Just For U, 3 First Wish, 2 Elegant Appeal

Race 3: 7 Walt Whitman, 5 King's Sailor, 4 Hiersdieding, 1 Crimson Comet

Race 4: 1 Ellorix, 3 Rain Bird, 4 String Of Lights, 2 Green Fame

Race 5: 3 Runaway Song, 2 Grazinginthegrass, 1 Cherry Ano, 6 Brenden James

Race 6: 4 Battleground, 2 Bournemouth, 1 Zatara Magic, 5 Painite

Race 7: 3 United Express, 9 Gimme's Lassie, 6 Passchendaele, 2 Pinnacle

Race 8: 10 Masked Vigilante, 2 Gimme's Laddie, 7 Prophet, 14 Bronze Sword

BEST BET

Race 3 No 7 Walt Whitman

VALUE BET

Race 1: 6 Bella Attrice

BEST SWINGER

Race 3 5x7

BIPOT

R81

Leg 1: 1, 2, 6

Leg 2: 3, 5, 7

Leg 3: 7

Leg 4: 1           

Leg 5: 1, 2, 3

Leg 6: 1, 2, 4

PLACE ACCUMULATOR

R216

Leg 1: 3, 5, 7

Leg 2: 7

Leg 3: 1

Leg 4: 1, 2, 3

Leg 5: 2, 4

Leg 6: 3, 6, 9

Leg 7: 2, 7, 10, 14

PICK 6

R768

Leg 1: 7

Leg 2: 1, 3

Leg 3: 1, 2, 3, 6

Leg 4: 1, 2, 4

Leg 5: 2, 3, 6, 9

Leg 6: 2, 3, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 14

JACKPOT 1

R96

Leg 2: 1, 3

Leg 3: 1, 2, 3, 6

Leg 4: 1, 2, 4

Leg 5: 2, 3, 6, 9

JACKPOT 2

R384

Leg 1: 1, 2, 3, 6

Leg 2: 1, 2, 4

Leg 3: 2, 3, 6, 9

Leg 4: 2, 3, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 14