Jack Milner
There is a mild quiver of excitement in the South African racing world as the new Polytrack is to be initiated at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Wednesday.
The old course was criticised almost from Day 1, but it filled its role which enabled, to some extent, that allowed racing to go ahead in rainy conditions.
A lot of work has gone into getting the Polytrack to fulfil its proper role and today’s racing will be the acid test.
What will be interesting is to see whether the refurbished track has any effect on the form book or will horses with proven Polytrack ability sustain that.
However, there are some good bets on the card and bettors can get out of the starting stalls with a Race 1 winner when Cherry Oh Baby lines up in an Open Maiden over 1400m. The Danon Platina filly, out of Triple Tiara winner Cherry On The Top, is taking on a very weak field. She has run some decent races, notably finishing second behind above-average individuals Gerbera, Satyagraha and Saxon Dynasty.
Long Street is having her 19th try at cracking her maiden and while she has shown she has a win to come and is carded to carry 8kg less than Mike and Mathew de Kock-trained Cherry Oh Baby, it’s hard to see her finishing ahead at a track on which she has not run well.
Andrew Fortune takes the ride.
It is interesting to note that Craig Zackey has been booked to ride One Path in Race 3, a Class 4 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1800m. The lightly raced One World filly was third to Michael Robert’s highly regard filly Ladyofdistinction and then went on to win in convincing fashion when tried over 1600m on the Polytrack.
She may be above average then and will have matured but comes in with a just 57kg whereas fellow three-year-old highly regarded Woza Nawe who is unsure to stay, carries 59kg along with feature campaigner and elder Juliet Tango.
Jack Milner’s selections
Race 1: 2 Cherry Oh Baby, 3 Long Street, 5 Takeyourbestshot, 7 Doin' Time
Race 2: 12 Master Bomber, 2 Silver Platter, 3 Black Platina, 5 Parliament Square
Race 3: 6 One Path, 1 Woza Nawe, 10 Flying Hafla, 7 Kadizora
Race 4: 1 Johnny The Thief, 5 Blackberry Malt, 7 Field Marshal, 8 Trois Trois Quatre
Race 5: 4 Eventidor, 10 Porfirio, 6 Numzaan, 1 Shiny Bob
Race 6: 1 Bristol Hercules, 8 Gentleman Joe, 3 Few Dollars More, 5 Zinikele
Race 7: 2 Glamorz, 1 Quentasia, 5 Heirloom, 4 Drive By
Race 8: 6 Avernian Goddess, 2 Getoffofmycloud, 10 Ladybug, 8 Blowin In The Wind
Race 9: 1 African Prince, 7 Grand Appeal, 10 Hope Is Power, 3 Masterbling
BEST BET
Race 1: 2 Cherry Oh Baby
VALUE BET
Race 3: 6 One Path
BEST SWINGER
Race 2 2x12
BIPOT
R324
Leg 1: 12
Leg 2: 1, 6, 7, 10
Leg 3: 1, 5, 7
Leg 4: 4, 6, 10
Leg 5: 1, 3, 8
Leg 6: 1, 2, 5
PLACE ACCUMULATOR
R324
Leg 1: 1, 6, 10
Leg 2: 1, 5, 7
Leg 3: 4, 6, 10
Leg 4: 1, 8
Leg 5: 1, 2
Leg 6: 2, 6, 10
Leg 7: 1
PICK 6
R1920
Leg 1: 1, 5, 6, 7, 8
Leg 2: 1, 4, 6, 10
Leg 3: 1, 3, 5, 8
Leg 4: 1, 2, 4, 5
Leg 5: 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10
Leg 6: 1
JACKPOT 1
R384
Leg 1: 1, 4, 6, 10
Leg 2: 1, 3, 5, 8
Leg 3: 1, 2, 4, 5
Leg 4: 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10
JACKPOT 2
R96
Leg 1: 1, 3, 5, 8
Leg 2: 1, 2, 4, 5
Leg 3: 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10
Leg 4: 1