Obsidian and S’manga to strike

Jack Milner

Bettors are faced with a tricky card on the Turffontein Inside track on Thursday with three maidens and a series of lower-level handicaps, two of which have been reserved for apprentice jockeys.

However, trainer Johan Janse van Vuuren has a decent hand in Race 6, a MR 84 Handicap over 1600m, where he sends out Kudzu and Obsidian. Both horses are improving and in good form.

Inside draws are a massive advantage at this course, and both runners have secured excellent positions. Kudzu has performed slightly better than his stable companion so far, with two wins from 13 starts, but he is giving Obsidian 3.5kg.

Kudzu has already proven himself effective at this track, with two wins and two runner-up finishes in just five starts. He has also won over this course and distance. However, it is Obsidian, with S’manga Khumalo in the irons, who could be the one to watch in this race.

The Erupt gelding has run well for Khumalo, with a win and a third-place finish in their two outings together. Obsidian was a bit of a disappointment when finishing only third last time out, but he may not have appreciated the soft going that day. Conditions will be much firmer this time, and he could get the run of the race.

Race 7 is one of the two apprentice races and improving Unsolved Riddle could follow up in this MR 72 Handicap over 1600m. The five-year-old gelding has had only two starts for trainer Grant Maroun and was a winner last time out.

Blinkers were removed and he was an easy winner at the Vaal Classic over 1600m two weeks ago. He was only raised three points for that win, and champion apprentice Trent Mayhew takes the ride.

Ironically, the race is named in honour of the Champion Apprentice announced at the recent Highveld Season awards and that happens to be Mayhew himself. It’s not often an apprentice has the chance to win his own race.  

Jack Milner’s selections

Race 1: 9 Master's Lady, 8 Top Division, 5 Bumps Last Grind, 2 Jet Querari

Race 2: 7 Hawksdale, 1 Summer Winter, 8 Hurricane Power, 4 Bilingual

Race 3: 10 Waiting On Charlie, 3 Miss Takes, 1 Asiah's Tiara, 5 Parabellum

Race 4: 6 Mo Ment, 4 Arlington Action, 1 To The Rescue, 2 Douglas Dragon

Race 5: 1 Teo Torriatte, 2 Patches Of Grey, 3 Lady Noir, 6 Silver Flare

Race 6: 12 Obsidian, 11 Pocket Watch, 1 Kudzu, 13 Super Awesome

Race 7: 4 Unsolved Riddle, 1 Lady Sabrina, 3 War Reporter, 7 Libeccio

Race 8: 2 Gregarious, 6 Warning Sound, 1 Glamorous Lady, 3 Play With Fire

Race 9: 5 Lonely As A Cloud, 2 Nkandla Gold, 3 Phantom Express, 7 Inafix

BEST BET

Race 8: 2 Gregarious

VALUE BET

Race 4: 6 Mo Ment

BEST SWINGER

Race 2 1x7

BIPOT                          

R324

Leg 1: 1, 7

Leg 2: 3, 10

Leg 3: 1, 4, 6

Leg 4: 1, 2, 3

Leg 5: 1, 11, 12

Leg 6: 1, 3, 4

PLACE ACCUMULATOR

R216

Leg 1: 3, 10

Leg 2: 4, 6

Leg 3: 1, 2, 3

Leg 4: 1, 11, 12

Leg 5: 1, 3, 4

Leg 6: 2

Leg 7: 2, 5

PICK 6

R1600

Leg 1: 1, 2, 4, 6

Leg 2: 1, 2, 3, 6, 8

Leg 3: 1, 9, 11, 12, 13

Leg 4: 1, 3, 4, 7

Leg 5: 2

Leg 6: 2, 3, 5, 7

JACKPOT 1

R100

Leg 1: 1, 2, 3, 6, 8

Leg 2: 1, 9, 11, 12, 13

Leg 3: 1, 3, 4, 7

Leg 4: 2

JACKPOT 2

R80

Leg 1: 1, 9, 11, 12, 13

Leg 2: 1, 3, 4, 7

Leg 3: 2

Leg 4: 2, 3, 5, 7