Melech to conquer in Pinnacle Stakes

Jack Milner

Melech has not always had the best of luck lately and that proved to be the case in the Grade 2 Allied Steelrode Onamission Charity Mile at Turffontein in October.

It’s not that he would have won the race but he was forced to switch in the closing stage to get a clear run and that probably cost him fourth place.

Roy Magner’s charge was beaten just 1.35 lengths in that race and just a neck ahead of him was Hollywoodbets Durban July winner Winchester Mansion with Bless My Stars just 0.45 lengths ahead of him.

He returns to the Turffontein Standside track to race of the same distance on Tuesday in Race 6, a Pinnacle Stakes over 1600m, and there is nothing of that level taking him on this time.

Of course, he does carry 6.5kg more but the average merit rating of this race is 11 points lower than that of the Charity Mile.  

Melech, though, is not among the best weighted runners but that is unlikely to prove too much of a hinderance because Lady Of Power, who is the best weighted runner, is not producing anywhere close to the form of her current merit rating.

Also, fillies and mares get a sex allowance of 2.5kg which is why they hold three of the top four spots in the best weighted column.  

Melech, who has plenty speed in his pedigree and won three in a row over shorter, surprised many winning a 1700m before catching the eye in the Charity Mile.

Muzi Yeni is riding at the top of his game once again and he will be back aboard the William Longsword gelding once again.

The runner most likely to follow him home is Meridius who is in good form. However, Tony Peter’s charge finished 1.65 lengths behind Melech in the Charity Mile and looks unlikely to reverse that deficit at the same weight differential.

One of the hottest yards around is that of Fabian Habib and there was much fanfare around three-year-old colt Taegan’s Champ who slammed his maiden field on debut. The Gimmethegreenlight colt came home a 6.50 lengths winner over Just Nuisance who won his next start easily, franking the form.

Taegan’s Champ did prove a bit of handful in that win but in Denis Schwarz he has an in-form jockey aboard who could ensure he remains unbeaten in Race 8, a Novice Handicap over 1400m.

Jack Milner’s selections

Race 1: 5 Judgement Day, 4 Duke Of Oxford, 3 District Twelve, 6 Well Loved

Race 2: 4 Ring A Ling, 3 Kindred Heart, 6 She's A Miracle, 7 You Bring Me Joy

Race 3: 1 Address The Nation, 3 Fire Attack, 4 Guerilla Warfare, 6 Ready Set Fire

Race 4: 14 Storm Brasco, 12 Rossore Finale, 3 Feel All Right, 1 Puerto Plata

Race 5: 10 Beating Wings, 13 Silky Jet, 12 Marieskop, 14 Sukhumvit

Race 6: 2 Melech, 3 Meridius, 9 Tulip Tree, 1 Litigation

Race 7: 2 Battleground, 1 Flying Bull, 4 Absolute Value, 5 United Council

Race 8: 1 Taegan's Champ, 2 Wyzeact, 4 Command Pilot, 5 Care Taker

BEST BET

Race 8: 1 Taegan's Champ

VALUE BET

Race 6: 2 Melech

BEST SWINGER

Race 8 1x2

BIPOT

R324

Leg 1: 3, 4, 5

Leg 2: 3, 4, 6

Leg 3: 1, 3, 4

Leg 4: 12, 14

Leg 5: 10, 12, 13

Leg 6: 2, 3

PLACE ACCUMULATOR

R216

Leg 1: 3, 4, 5

Leg 2: 1, 3, 4

Leg 3: 12, 14

Leg 4: 10, 12, 13

Leg 5: 2, 3,

Leg 6: 1, 2

Leg 7: 1

PICK 6

R900

Leg 1: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6

Leg 2: 1, 3, 12, 14

Leg 3: 1, 10, 12, 13, 14

Leg 4: 2, 3, 9

Leg 5: 1, 2, 4

Leg 6: 1

JACKPOT 1

R180

Leg 1: 1, 3, 12, 14

Leg 2: 1, 10, 12, 13, 14

Leg 3: 2, 3, 9

Leg 4: 1, 2, 4

JACKPOT 2

R45

Leg 1: 1, 10, 12, 13, 14

Leg 2: 2, 3, 9

Leg 3: 1, 2, 4

Leg 4: 1