Jack Milner
Only seven runners have been carded to go to post for the Grade 3 Betway London News Stakes over 1800m on the Standside course at Turffontein on Saturday but is it quite a select field.
One can make a winning case for most of the runners and there some that have a dark cloud over their heads with regards to the state of their current form, but it does look quite an interesting race.
Heading up the field is Fire Attack, winner of last year’s Grade 1 Hong Kong Jockey Club World Pool Premier’s Champion Challenge over 2000m. One can assume that the same race, which is slated to be run at Turffontein on 4 April, will be his next assignment.
Alec Laird’s charge is loaded with talent but he does appear to have his quirks which may have popped up in his disappointing trip to the Western Cape recently.
After his shocking run in the Grade 1 L’Ormarins King’s Plate, the balance of his expedition to Cape Town was terminated and he returned to Joburg.
That is the dark cloud hanging over his head, but he is a different horse at Turffontein and he remains the runner they all have to beat.
After all, Laird has opted to run him so whatever the issue was in Cape Town it surely has been dealt with. In addition, he has to be close to his best with the Champions Challenge just seven weeks away.
Calvin Habib gets the ride, and he is in top form.
However, Olivia’s Way should not be underestimated. This Roy Magner-trained filly was not disgraced when finishing a 0.50-length second behind Mocha Blend in the Betway Summer Cup over 2000m at this course in November.
In fact, when Andrew Fortune brought her with a strong run down the centre of the course it looked as if Olivia’s Way would sweep into the lead, but the winner managed to hold her off.
That is sometime the problem with this four-year-old Pathfork filly in that she looks a winner but does not seem to get her nose down where it matters.
But this could be her day. Her record in races over 1800m is five runs for three wins and two seconds. She is the second best weighted runner and with Ryan Munger up she cannot be left out of any bets.
Then we have The Ultimate King. Tony Peter’s charge, a progressive Vercingetorix gelding, booked his spot in the Summer Cup with a decisive Grade 3 Victory Moon Stakes win over the same course and distance, before finishing a gallant third in the 2000m Grade 1 at the end of November.
Either of those performances would put him right in the firing line for top honours. But he did disappoint last time and although he may just have needed the run, based on the weight turnaround with Olivia’s Way, he may battle to beat the filly.
Nevertheless, Gavin Lerena knows him inside out - three wins, two seconds and a third from six rides - and that familiarity could prove decisive in a tactical race run under weight-for-age terms plus penalties.
Jack Milner’s selections
Race 1: 10 Staggerwing, 4 Grande Hawaii, 3 Get Up, 7 Northern European
Race 2: 7 Prayersandpromises, 8 Sherlock Holmes, 4 Ehhfifteenkjoe, 3 Dear Doc
Race 3: 8 Traditional Belief, 5 Miss Fantastic, 7 Purple Rain, 1 Detailed Forecast
Race 4: 4 Scorpio, 3 Taskmaster, 8 Warning Light, 1 Sky Pilot
Race 5: 9 Sutherland, 2 Champion Warrior, 7 It's Personal, 8 Paul Revere
Race 6: 9 Vava Vegas, 1 Peregrine Falcon, 2 Mocha Frappe, 7 Oklahoma Smokeshow
Race 7: 1 Fire Attack, 6 Olivia's Way, 2 The Ultimate King, 7 Willy Meet Again
Race 8: 7 Black Egret, 3 Palace Prince, 2 Jerusalema Rain, 9 Rollwiththepunches
Race 9: 3 Longsword, 6 Ready Set Fire, 1 Captain Selvie, 9 Space Mission
BEST BET
Race 1: 10 Staggerwing
VALUE BET
Race 8: 7 Black Egret
BEST SWINGER
Race 3: 5x8
BIPOT
R144
Leg 1: 7
Leg 2: 5, 8
Leg 3: 3, 4, 8
Leg 4: 2, 7, 8, 9
Leg 5: 1, 9
Leg 6: 1, 2, 6
PLACE ACCUMULATOR
R216
Leg 1: 8
Leg 2: 3, 4
Leg 3: 2, 7, 9
Leg 4: 1, 9
Leg 5: 1, 6
Leg 6: 2, 3, 7
Leg 7: 1, 3, 6
PICK 6
R1800
Leg 1: 3, 4, 8
Leg 2: 2, 7, 8, 9, 13
Leg 3: 1, 9
Leg 4: 1, 2, 6
Leg 5: 2, 3, 6, 7, 9
Leg 6: 1, 3, 6, 9
JACKPOT 1
R150
Leg 1: 2, 7, 8, 9, 13
Leg 2: 1, 9
Leg 3: 1, 2, 6
Leg 4: 2, 3, 6, 7, 9
JACKPOT 2
R120
Leg 1: 1, 9
Leg 2: 1, 2, 6
Leg 3: 2, 3, 6, 7, 9
Leg 4: 1, 3, 6, 9