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