Move to Greyville to suit some runners

Jack Milner

The weather has had its say once again and with heavy rain falling over Pietermaritzburg on Friday night with more expected, the meeting scheduled for Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Sunday has been moved to Hollywoodbets Greyville.

On Saturday morning the penetrometer reading at Scottsville was between 30 and 35 which has made for an unsafe track.

The good news, however, is that the meeting will be staged on the turf track as opposed to the Polytrack. Also, race times remain as carded.

There have been a number of scratchings and one of those is Corne Spies-trained Elegantrix from Race 5, although that is nothing to do with the change of venue but due to weather affecting her training regime.

However, the move could favour Fate Of Fortune who lines up in Race 4, a C Stakes over 1000m. The now seven-year-old gelding has won three of his last four starts and was only beaten 0.90 lengths in the other. The last three of those races were at Greyville, either on the turf or poly.

The hot run started when the Master Of My Fate gelding was fitted with blinkers. The two victories at Greyville were over 1200m on the turf followed by 1000m on the Polytrack. This will be the first time jockey Keagan de Melo gets aboard him, and although his merit rating rose by six points for his latest win, he may well score again.

Some young improving runners go to post in Race 6, a B Stakes contest over 1200m, and the Garth Puller-trained Major Tommie must be given a decent shout. Puller is a very patient trainer and when his runners strike form, they are worth following.

This four-year-old gelding has won two of his last three outings. Major Tommie was an easy 2.30-length winner on the Polytrack over 1100m last time out. This is a competitive race, but he does look to have more wins in him and could score again, especillay with in-form Callan Murray taking the ride

Jack Milner’s selections

Race 1: 3 Son Of Rafeef, 5 Place Of Practice, 2 Quarter Master, 8 Lovecomesknocking

Race 2: 3 Alakazam, 2 Saudi Sweep, 10 Fleur De Ling, 12 Lilac In Winter

Race 3: 6 Strutting, 4 Day Two, 3 Christmas Cactus, 12 Flag Champ

Race 4: 2 Fate Of Fortune, 7 Blazing Fury, 1 Rafa's Boy, 6 Smorgasbord

Race 5: 7 Back At The George, 3 Convocation, 4 Miss Ladyaterix, 6 Tara Star

Race 6: 4 Major Tommie, 2 Wild Justice, 8 Vihaan's Web, 7 Kalahari Roller

Race 7: 2 Light Of Gabriel, 6 Winter Rainfall, 3 Fascination, 4 Ayuwi Yuwi

Race 8: 4 Dawn Surprise, 7 Quentasia, 5 Littleblackgem, 6 Jazz Diva

BEST BET

Race 6: 4 Major Tommie

VALUE BET

Race 2: 3 Alakazam

BEST SWINGER

Race 6 2x4

BIPOT                          

R216

Leg 1: 2, 3, 5

Leg 2: 2, 3, 10, 12

Leg 3: 4, 6

Leg 4: 2, 7

Leg 5: 3, 4, 7

Leg 6: 4

PLACE ACCUMULATOR

R216

Leg 1: 2, 3, 10

Leg 2: 4, 6

Leg 3: 2, 7

Leg 4: 3, 4, 7

Leg 5: 4

Leg 6: 2, 6

Leg 7: 4, 5, 7

PICK 6

R1600

Leg 1: 3, 4, 10, 12

Leg 2: 1, 2, 6, 7

Leg 3: 3, 4, 6, 7

Leg 4: 4

Leg 5: 2, 3, 4, 6, 8

Leg 6: 1, 4, 5, 6, 7

JACKPOT 1

R80

Leg 1: 1, 2, 6, 7

Leg 2: 3, 4, 6, 7

Leg 3: 4

Leg 4: 2, 3, 4, 6, 8

JACKPOT 2

R100

Leg 1: 3, 4, 6, 7

Leg 2: 4

Leg 3: 2, 3, 4, 6, 8

Leg 4: 1, 4, 5, 6, 7