Jack Milner: Set The Date disappointed last time when sent off 9-10 favourite.
In doing so, she failed to give trainer Carl Hewitson his first victory since taking over Yvette Bremner’s stable and moving to KwaZulu-Natal.
The two horses who beat her, though, look to be quite useful so the daughter of Gimmethegreenlight can set the matter straight when she lines up in Race 1, a Maiden Plate over 1000m on the Polytrack at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Monday.
She s nicely drawn at No 4, and this time two-time champion jockey Lye Hewitson will be in the irons for his father. Ironically, the last time Set The Date ran, Hewitson was aboard the winner, Sweetscentedgreen.
She will have to take on the colts, but as a three-year-old filly she gets a 2.5kg sex allowance, and will carry just 56.5kg. That should give her a major advantage.
Looking at her opposition, only one runner really stands out and that is King Cyrus. Andre Nel’s charge has been running over a little further and will drop in distance this time. However, he will be fitted in blinkers for the first time and that could offer some assistance. Gareth Wright takes the ride.
According to their current merit rating, he is 4kg out with Set The Date on handicap but the pair look the standout Swinger bet on the card.
Hopefully Set The Date will start the ball rolling for the Hewitsons but they could double up later on the card when they team up with Global Ash in Race 6, a MR 64 Handicap over 1600m.
The three-year-old gelding has raced twice, winning on debut in Port Elizabeth and running a decent 4.70 length behind Galway over this course and distance after a layoff.
He faded out late but will be a lot fitter this time.
Jack Milner’s selections
Race 1: 4 Set The Date, 1 King Cyrus, 6 Soweto Hall, 8 Battle Of Stirling
Race 2: 1 Red Hot Night, 2 Rocket Rhumba, 7 Tenacious Time, 6 Cubanelle