Muzi to defy the draw

Jack Milner

Hollywoodbets Scottsville is the focus of Saturday’s racing and Muzi Yeni has some competitive rides. His best two comes up in Races 4 and 5 where he rides Money Heist and Family Favourite respectively.

Money Heist looks particularly strong following his impressive debut 1.70-length third behind Fire Lord over 1400m at Scottsville, the distance of Saturday’s race. That form line looks highly potent as three winners from nine runners have come from it.

The only concern is No 13 draw, but Gareth van Zyl’s charge looks to have plenty of ability and Yeni, who rode him last time, should be able to deal with that obstacle.

Yeni stole the race on Family Favourite last time out when she was allowed to dictate the pace. She won by 4.30 lengths over 1600m at this course and will be hard to stop once again if she is allowed to lead from the off.

The most interesting race on the card comes up in Race 7 where a decent bunch of sprinters line up in this MR 104 Handicap over 1200m.

The horse to beat in undoubtedly Coin Spinner, who has a record of four wins and three places from nine starts. The Tony Rivalland-trained gelding has won his only race over this course and distance and placed in his two others at the track, and jumping from No 2 draw with Keagan de Melo up, has a lot going for him.

The biggest threat is likely to come from beautifully bred Captain Fontane, who was regarded as a potential superstar early on and was destined to go off for a career in Hong Kong before the Covid pandemic put paid to those chances.

He drifted around the country a little but is now back with Garth Puller, has run against the best in the country and must have a massive chance.

Stanley Park might well have let the side down last time but the Puller-trained Oratorio gelding was only beaten 3.10 lengths and that run perhaps is best ignored.

He could make amends when he lines up in Race 1, a Maiden Plate over 1000m.

While Stanley Park turned in a disappointing effort, his penultimate run is turning out to be a very strong form race. Donquerari, the winner of that race, came out to win a strong Conditional Novice recently and the horses who finished behind Stanley Park, namely Ndaka and Winter Pearl, recently opened their accounts, winning well.

Stanley Park looked a bit rushed last time but on a really competitive card, Ant Mgudlwa can do punters a favour and help them set up a kitty with which to bet further up the card.

Smith And Wesson, who will be having his ninth start, looked really moderate when racing in the Western Cape and even paid a couple of winless trips to Port Elizabeth.

But he has since been gelded and changed stables and perhaps that has done the trick because he showed good pace last time, a factor which is needed up the Scottsville straight.

Jack Milner’s selections

Race 1: 7 Stanley Park, 3 Smith And Wesson, 5 Arbitrator, 2 Super Fast

Race 2: 8 Fine Design, 2 Asiye Phambili, 3 Palm Breeze, 4 Cinnamon Blush

Race 3: 1 Bella Bandiera, 8 Fortune Bay, 2 Camika, 10 Columbia Road

Race 4: 13 Money Heist, 12 Johnny's Hope, 2 Over And Ice, 3 Zooberi

Race 5: 4 Family Favourite, 7 Shape Of You, 1 Mysterious Girl, 2 Acacia's Blossom

Race 6: 3 Senor Garcia, 1 Master Tobe, 5 Riccardo, 8 The Bayou

Race 7: 2 Coin Spinner, 3 Captain Fontane, 9 Aqua Bolt, 6 Bowie

Race 8: 3 Slim Jannie, 12 Rulership, 4 Philispiel, 7 Gimme A Rainbow

BEST BET

Race 1 No 7 Stanley Park

VALUE BET

Race 6 No 3 Senor Garcia

BEST SWINGER

Race 1 3x7

BIPOT

R216

Leg 1: 7

Leg 2: 2, 8

Leg 3: 1, 2, 8

Leg 4: 2, 12, 13

Leg 5: 1, 4, 7

Leg 6: 1, 3, 5, 8

PLACE ACCUMULATOR

R162

Leg 1: 8

Leg 2: 1, 2, 8

Leg 3: 2, 12, 13

Leg 4: 1, 4, 7

Leg 5: 1, 3, 5

Leg 6: 2

Leg 7: 3, 12

PICK 6

R1152

Leg 1: 1, 2, 8

Leg 2: 2, 3, 12, 13

Leg 3: 1, 2, 4, 7

Leg 4: 1, 3, 5, 8

Leg 5: 2, 3, 5

Leg 6: 3, 12

JACKPOT 1

R192

Leg 2: 2, 3, 12, 13

Leg 3: 1, 2, 4, 7

Leg 4: 1, 3, 5, 8

Leg 5: 2, 3, 5

JACKPOT 2

R96

Leg 3: 1, 2, 4, 7

Leg 4: 1, 3, 5, 8

Leg 5: 2, 3, 5

Leg 6: 3, 12