Trainer Mike Miller is a dab hand with two-year-olds, and he could be ahead of the pack this season with Master Magician at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Sunday.
Recently relocated trainer Adam Azzie must have a big chance of getting off the mark with filly Thought Control in her heat.
Season after season Miller’s runners have dominated KwaZulu-Natal’s early juvenile contests and in Race 1, a Maiden Juvenile Plate over 1000m, where he sends out seven of the 12 carded runners, he should take home the lion’s share of the prize money, so follow the betting market closely.
The stable elect must be Querari colt Master Magician on riding arrangements. He is ridden by Miller’s No 1 choice Tristan Godden who recently captured his first Grade 1 winning the Grade 1 Betway Summer Cup with Frank Robinson-trained filly Mocha Blend.
It must also be noted stallion Querari is also quite prolific at this time of year with youngsters and has already had an impressive two-year-old winner with Justin Snaith-trained Querari Dancer.
It’s been a quiet couple of months for Azzie who has gone on his own and has settled down in KZN, but it should not take long for the young conditioner to start getting back on track and filly Thought Control could be the one that breaks the duck.
The What A Winter filly, related to versatile and above-average Jordan and Alannah, caught the eye in her debut outing when quickening late to finish second behind Amelia’s Legacy. The latter was backed to beat Gladatorian’s sister next time out in a tough Progress Plate and did well to finish in the money so the form is fair.
Thought Control was getting into gear at the line when finishing ahead of re-opposing Sovereign Gem who is also set to make further progress. Returning high-profile rider Keagan de Melo who is aboard Azzie’s charge, will probably sit closer to Sovereign Gem this time and bide his time before asking her the question.
Jack Milner’s selections
Race 1: 6 Master Magician, 5 Japura, 12 A Bit Spicy, 9 Smart Choice
Race 2: 5 Best Of All, 10 Hey Diddle Diddle, 1 Winter In London, 2 Eastern Highlands
Race 3: 7 Mr Mcdonald, 1 Past And Present, 13 Director, 4 Donmagoo
Race 4: 5 Thought Control, 13 Annie's Song, 1 Sovereign Gem, 3 Heavenly Mafia
Race 5: 5 Eric's Legacy, 11 Cleartherunway, 1 Phutulicious, 8 Lions Eye
Race 6: 5 In The Bag, 7 Bank Street, 13 Sun Dazed, 8 Ultra Quick
Race 7: 5 Grand Occasion, 1 Gimmeforsure, 3 Miss Twinkle, 4 Mountainsofthemoon
Race 8: 5 Mighty Zambezi, 6 Love My Style, 7 Maphaka, 10 Beamonesque
Race 9: 5 Whereverilaymyhat, 1 Purple Powahouse, 6 Arverni Princess, 12 Little Cracker
BEST BET
Race 7: 5 Grand Occasion
VALUE BET
Race 8: 5 Mighty Zambezi
BEST SWINGER
Race 3 1x7
BIPOT
R108
Leg 1: 5, 10, 15
Leg 2: 1, 7
Leg 3: 5, 13
Leg 4: 1, 5, 11
Leg 5: 5, 7, 13
Leg 6: 5
PLACE ACCUMULATOR
R216
Leg 1: 1, 7
Leg 2: 5, 13
Leg 3: 5, 11
Leg 4: 5, 7, 13
Leg 5: 5
Leg 6: 5, 6, 7
Leg 7: 1, 5, 6
PICK 6
R1500
Leg 1: 1, 5, 13
Leg 2: 1, 5, 8, 11
Leg 3: 2, 5, 7, 8, 13
Leg 4: 5
Leg 5: 5, 6, 7, 10, 16
Leg 6: 1, 5, 6, 7, 12
JACKPOT 1
R100
Leg 1: 1, 5, 8, 11
Leg 2: 2, 5, 7, 8, 13
Leg 3: 5
Leg 4: 5, 6, 7, 10, 16
JACKPOT 2
R125
Leg 1: 2, 5, 7, 8, 13
Leg 2: 5
Leg 3: 5, 6, 7, 10, 16
Leg 4: 1, 5, 6, 7, 12