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Naarah to lead the way

Written by Jack Milner | Oct 12, 2021 1:03:00 PM

Jack Milner: As is the case in all sports, horseracing has its own idioms and one of them is that while a horse might lose its form, it does not lose its ability.

13 OCT 2021

That is unquestionably the case with Naarah. The daughter of Vercingetorix was being touted as a superstar in the making after starting her career with two impressive victories.

They were extraordinary wins so it came as no surprise she was sent out a 17-20 favourite to win the Listed Ruffian Stakes over 1000m. But after showing up with the pace for the first 600m, she faded out to end up in fifth place, beaten 3.75 lengths by Under Your Spell.

So perplexing was the performance that she was examined by the course veterinarian who could find nothing wrong.

Her next start, in the Grade 3 Protea Stakes over 110mm, was even more disappointing because this time she went down 6.50 lengths, again to Under Your Spell.

After that Naarah was given a rest during which she joined the Roy Magner yard. He appeared to find the cure for whatever was ailing the filly and when she made her return in a Graduation Plate last month, Magner made no secret of the fact he believed she was back to her best.      

He was spot on, and the now three-year-old filly came away to score a facile 1.40-length victory over Alabama Anna.

She is back in action in Race 2 on the Vaal Classic track on Thursday, a MR 90 Handicap over 1000m for fillies and mares, and her winning form is expected to continue.

Gavin Lerena was aboard for her last win, and he will be back in the iron again. 

And the scratching of main danger Bella Chica makes Naarah an even better bet.

That makes Big Eyed Girl the runner for the Exacta. Trained by Johan Janse van Vuuren and carrying only 54kg, this three-year-old daughter of Vercingetorix has claims despite a big step up in class.

 

Jack Milner’s selections

Race 1: 3 Pink Legacy, 4 Red Hot, 1 Gilda Gray, 2 Fort Snow

Race 2: 3 Naarah, 6 Big Eyed Girl, 5 Muleta, 1 Before The Dawn

Race 3: 3 Orgetorix, 4 Scottadito, 1 Global Player, 7 Pomodoro Hills

Race 4: 1 Lion Of The Desert, 6 Funky Music, 9 Noble Striker, 5 Euro Cent

Race 5: 2 Sergei, 1 Bureau Des Legende, 5 Timbavati River, 3 Flinders Range

Race 6: 1 Run As One, 3 Orus Apollo, 9 Irish Rain, 10 Capetown Affair

Race 7: 4 Corvette Captain, 1 Touch Of Fate, 2 Edward Longshanks, 5 After Hours

Race 8: 3 Singfosusie, 1 Seemyvision, 4 Verinova, 9 Alula’s Star

 

BEST BET

Race 3 No 3 Orgetorix

VALUE BET

Race 8 No 3 Singfosusie

BEST SWINGER

Race 2 3×6

 

 

BIPOT

R72

Leg 1: 1, 3, 4

Leg 2: 3, 6

Leg 3: 3

Leg 4: 1, 6

Leg 5: 1, 2, 5

Leg 6: 1, 3

 

PLACE ACCUMULATOR

R108

Leg 1: 3

Leg 2: 3

Leg 3: 1, 6

Leg 4: 1, 2, 5

Leg 5: 1, 3

Leg 6: 1, 2, 4

Leg 7: 1, 3, 4

 

PICK 6

R1500

Leg 1: 3

Leg 2: 1, 5, 6, 9

Leg 3: 1, 2, 3, 5, 9

Leg 4: 1, 3, 9

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

Leg 6: 1, 3, 4, 7, 9

 

JACKPOT 1

R300

Leg 1: 1, 5, 6, 9

Leg 2: 1, 2, 3, 5, 9

Leg 3: 1, 3, 9

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

 

JACKPOT 2

R375

Leg 1: 1, 2, 3, 5, 9

Leg 2: 1, 3, 9

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

Leg 4: 1, 3, 4, 7, 9