Jack Milner
Charles Dickens was probably the most spoken-about horse of the Cape summer season and two members of his family can keep the tongues wagging when they run at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on Tuesday.
Somerset Maugham, a full brother to the star three-year-old (Trippi-Demanding Lady), and Steinbeck, a half-brother by Silvano, are both trained by Justin Snaith and compete in Races 2 and 6 respectively.
Race 2 is a Cape A Stakes over 1800m and Snaith sends out three of the seven runners, the other two being Navy Strength and Hoedspruit.
There are two key factors that point to Somerset Maugham – his jockey and the course. Richard Fourie, who has been in excellent form, especially for Snaith, has elected to ride this five-year-old gelding.
His reason is probably related to the second factor, Somerset Maugham’s form at Durbanville. He has had three runs at the course for two wins and a second place, and even in the latter, he was beaten just 0.40 lengths by Alter Ego while still a maiden.
His last win was at this course, the Listed Settlers Trophy over 2000m in September. On That occasion he beat Han Solo by a short head. The two meet again in this race but Somerset Maugham is now 2.5kg better off.
Snaith saddles three of the eight runners in Race 6, a Class B Handicap over 1800m, and although Night Ruler is expected to draw the most attention, stable companion Steinbeck, with Grant van Niekerk in the saddle, could prove most valuable.
This four-year-old son of Silvano has been on a slow but steady upward trajectory. He did disappoint slightly last time out but wasn’t disgraced after being left with too much to do at the business end. This coming-from-behind tactic has worked well for Steinbeck and with not much pace on offer in this event, his turn of foot should see him score a fourth career win.
Future Turn, also from Snaith’s yard, could snatch a second career win in Race 5, a Class 4 Handicap over 1600m where any of the seven runners are capable of pulling it off.
This Futura-gelding is holding form, having not been beaten more than 1.85-lengths in his three post-maiden runs.
He was well-supported last time when failing to kick and could finally prove he is a “miler” having come pretty close to success in four previous attempts over 1600m.
Jack Milner’s selections
Race 1: 7 Unconquerable Lady, 1 Fanny Kemble, 3 Tres Chic, 8 Lady Loxton
Race 2: 6 Somerset Maugham, 7 Han Solo, 3 Hoedspruit, 4 Master Redoute
Race 3: 9 Cloud Chaser, 7 Ilha Da Mauricia, 4 Fallo Ancora, 11 Youcrackmeup
Race 4: 5 Run Rudolph Run, 4 Beau Kala, 1 Just Before Dawn, 8 Autumn Moon
Race 5: 4 Future Turn, 2 Carriacou, 3 Silent Trigger, 7 Gimme More Time
Race 6: 2 Steinbeck, 6 Night Ruler, 5 Chollima, 7 The Futurist
Race 7: 8 Metar, 2 Zippy Over, 1 Red Sash, 9 Gimmeafirst
Race 8: 7 What A State, 5 Kennedy, 1 Everlasting, 10 Act Naturally
BEST BET
Race 3 No 9 Cloud Chaser
VALUE BET
Race 4 No 5 Run Rudolph Run
BEST SWINGER
Race 3 7x9
BIPOT
R162
Leg 1: 1, 3, 7
Leg 2: 6, 7
Leg 3: 9
Leg 4: 1, 4, 5
Leg 5: 2, 3, 4
Leg 6: 2, 5, 6
PLACE ACCUMULATOR
R216
Leg 1: 6, 7
Leg 2: 9
Leg 3: 1, 4, 5
Leg 4: 2, 3, 4
Leg 5: 2, 5, 6
Leg 6: 2, 8
Leg 7: 5, 7
PICK 6
R1920
Leg 1: 9
Leg 2: 1, 2, 4, 5, 8, 9
Leg 3: 1, 2, 3, 4, 7
Leg 4: 2, 5, 6, 7
Leg 5: 1, 2, 8, 9
Leg 6: 1, 5, 7, 10
JACKPOT 1
R480
Leg 1: 1, 2, 4, 5, 8, 9
Leg 2: 1, 2, 3, 4, 7
Leg 3: 2, 5, 6, 7
Leg 4: 1, 2, 8, 9
JACKPOT 2
R320
Leg 1: 1, 2, 3, 4, 7
Leg 2: 2, 5, 6, 7
Leg 3: 1, 2, 8, 9
Leg 4: 1, 5, 7, 10
.