Jack Milner
In his movie Match Point, director Woody Allen talks about pivotal moments which have a massive impact on one’s life.
He compares it to a tennis player who hits a shot that clips the top of the net – if the ball goes over, you win the point, and it falls back to you side of the net, you lose that point.
Filly Almond Sea could have one of those moments at Turffontein on Thursday when she lines up in Race 4, a Conditions plate over 1450m on the Inside track.
Trained by Tony Peter, this daughter of Canford Cliffs has been an excellent earner for her connections having won six of her 14 races and placing in another six. In her two unplaced efforts she finished fifth.
At this stage she has only raced up the straight and the furthest she has been is 1160. So, she will be moving into new territory this time is she not only goes further but will be going around the turn.
Paul Peter, assistant to son Tony, believes Almond Sea is now ready to race over further. “I think this is the perfect time to try her out,” he said on Tuesday. “If she does see it out it opens up so many new opportunities for her.
Topping the list is the R5-million Race Coast Sales Big Cap over 1400m at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Sunday 12 April.
The Non-Black Type race is open to all Race Coast Sales graduates and she will also be able to claim the 2kg allowance given to fillies and mares.
“Her work is very good at the moment and the manner in which she is working gives up every belief that she will see out the distance.”
Interestingly, her half-sister, Celtic Rumours, was a specialist over the distance. She has won five races, four of them over 1450m and the other over 1400m.
Gavin Lerena will be taking the ride on Almond Sea and she is perfectly drawn in gate No 3.
So, on which side of the net will the ball fall?
The main threat is likely to come from Listed Wolf Power 1600 winner Pressonregardless. The five-year-old Lancaster Bomber gelding, trained by David Nieuwenhuizen, put up an excellent performance to win that last race and in the process he handed Grand Empire his first defeat.
Grand Empire franked the form when running a 0.60-length second behind Splittheeights in the Grade 2 TAB Gauteng Guineas.
Pressonregardless will be reunited with Craig Zackey for this race and they will jump from gate No 4.
Jack Milner’s selections
Race 1: 5 Military Moves, 2 Battleground, 6 Euphrates, 4 Bellerophon
Race 2: 1 Galaxy Queen, 2 Future Gamble, 4 In Between, 8 Keep Warm
Race 3: 7 Gimmethespotlight, 10 Top Floor, 1 Quevano, 9 Status
Race 4: 3 Almond Sea, 2 Pressonregardless, 10 Winds Of Change, 4 Just Be Lekker
Race 5: 4 Drivelikeamaster, 7 Fostinovo, 2 Got The Feeling, 6 Deception Pass
Race 6: 3 Sakura Hanami, 1 Bright And Brazen, 6 Misty Metal, 11 Far Reaching
Race 7: 5 Kissing Machine, 4 Ancient Wisdom, 6 Azaleas For All, 1 Future Date
Race 8: 4 Open Sesame, 10 Falconfly, 3 Annewithan E, 1 Back From War
Race 9: 2 Force Publique, 11 Full Go, 6 Carnelo, 10 Casus Belli
BEST BET
Race 3: 7 Gimmethespotlight
VALUE BET
Race 8: 4 Open Sesame
BEST SWINGER
Race 5 4x7
BIPOT
R144
Leg 1: 1, 3
Leg 2: 7
Leg 3: 2, 3, 10
Leg 4: 4, 7
Leg 5: 1, 3, 6
Leg 6: 1, 4, 5, 6
PLACE ACCUMULATOR
R216
Leg 1: 7
Leg 2: 2, 3
Leg 3: 4, 7
Leg 4: 1, 3
Leg 5: 4, 5, 6
Leg 6: 3, 4, 10
Leg 7: 2, 6, 11
PICK 6
R2592
Leg 1: 2, 3, 10
Leg 2: 4, 7
Leg 3: 1, 3, 6
Leg 4: 1, 4, 5, 6
Leg 5: 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 10
Leg 6: 2, 4, 5, 6, 10, 11
JACKPOT 1
R144
Leg 1: 4, 7
Leg 2: 1, 3, 6
Leg 3: 1, 4, 5, 6
Leg 4: 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 10
JACKPOT 2
R432
Leg 1: 1, 3, 6
Leg 2: 1, 4, 5, 6
Leg 3: 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 10
Leg 4: 2, 4, 5, 6, 10, 11