Move to Greyville should not stop Rugger Bugger

Jack Milner

The decision to move Sunday’s KwaZulu-Natal meeting from Hollywoodbets Scottsville to the turf track at Hollywoodbets Greyville will obviously impact some horses more than others – in both directions.

Those most affected will be horses who are drawn wide in races between 1000m and 1200m. At Scottsville these are run up the straight and there is not too much of a disadvantage these days to be drawn towards the outside.

At Greyville, of course, all these races are now run around the turn and that does make life more difficult for those drawn wide.

On the other side of the coin there are those who have tested form at Greyville and have either not run well at Scottsville or have yet to be tested at the Maritzburg track.

In the case of Rugger Bugger it could be argued that what he loses on the swings, he could make up on the roundabouts.

Wendy Whitehead’s charge has run only once – over 1000m on the turf at Greyville – and flew up late to run third, beaten 1.40 lengths by debut winner Tribute To You, who makes a second appearance in Race 5 on Sunday.

That formline is looking quite strong. Second in that race was Menelaus, who went off 11-10 favourite and has run twice for two seconds (and is favourite to win Race 8 on Sunday), while fourth place went to Ice Kingdom, who came out to win his next start.

So, the move to Greyville could be positive for Rugger Bugger who will line up in Race in 4, a Maiden Plate over 1200m. The concern is that he is drawn No 12, which now adds a further hurdle to his chances.

Nevertheless, he will enjoy the extra 200m and does look to be a pretty useful sort in the making and, with the experience under his belt, can only get better.

Calvin Habib is having a great season and he did ride this What A Winter colt on debut, so Rugger Bugger is still the runner the others will have to beat.

Jack Milner’s selections

Race 1: 3 I Like It Hot, 8 Ice Angel, 9 Guest Getorixx, 6 Tabatha Cat

Race 2: 7 Franz Lehar, 9 Sikhulu, 1 Faustino, 5 Dandolo

Race 3: 5 Flirty Dancer, 4 Sea Goddess, 7 If You Say So, 2 Salient Point

Race 4: 12 Rugger Bugger, 8 Rock N Roll Girl, 1 Kashkaval, 4 Captain Rocket

Race 5: 4 Tribute To You, 5 Will O Me, 12 Trade War, 13 Northern Warrior

Race 6: 3 Party Time, 9 Sea Master, 8 Putins Promise, 4 Aqua Bolt

Race 7: 2 Strawberry Bear, 9 Giambattista, 4 Global Dollar, 6 Justfortheepenny

Race 8: 8 Menelaus, 1 Pongola, 3 Space Cowboy, 2 African Dusk

BEST BET

Race 4 No 12 Rugger Bugger

VALUE BET

Race 5 No 4 Tribute To You

BEST SWINGER

Race 2 7x9

BIPOT

R162

Leg 1: 3, 8, 9

Leg 2: 7, 9

Leg 3: 4, 5, 7

Leg 4: 12

Leg 5: 4, 5, 12

Leg 6: 3, 8, 9

PLACE ACCUMULATOR

R216

Leg 1: 7, 9

Leg 2: 4, 5, 7

Leg 3: 12

Leg 4: 4, 5, 12

Leg 5: 3, 8, 9

Leg 6: 2, 9

Leg 7: 1, 8

PICK 6

R1200

Leg 1: 2, 3, 4, 5, 7

Leg 2: 12

Leg 3: 4, 5, 12, 13, 14

Leg 4: 3, 4, 8, 9

Leg 5: 2, 4, 9

Leg 6: 1, 2, 8, 9

JACKPOT 1

R60

Leg 1: 12

Leg 2: 4, 5, 12, 13, 14

Leg 3: 3, 4, 8, 9

Leg 4: 2, 4, 9

JACKPOT 2

R240

Leg 1: 4, 5, 12, 13, 14

Leg 2: 3, 4, 8, 9

Leg 3: 2, 4, 9

Leg 4: 1, 2, 8, 9