Oshakati to shed his maiden

Oshakati showed little in his first three races, all on the turf at Scottsville but a two-month break coupled with a move to the Polytrack, has resulted in two respectable placed runs.

She finished a 1.45-length third behind Arbitor followed by a 3.10-length second to Captain Bombshell. While that last run may seem disappointing one needs to take into account that the winner came off a fourth place in the Grade 1 Gold Medallion and a well-supported 2.60-length sixth place in the Grade 2 Umkhomazi Stakes.

Back in maiden company Captain Bombshell looked a good thing to win that race and went off a 1-4 favourite. He has since won a race at Kenilworth and looks to be above average.

It is worth noting, nonetheless, that Oshakati produced the fastest final 400m in that last race.

The Garth Puller-trained Philanthropist gelding lines up in Race 1 on the Polytrack at Hollywoodbets Greyville today, a Maiden Handicap over 1200m. Oshakati doesn’t look to be meeting anything of Captain Bombshell’s calibre in this line-up.

He is well enough drawn in gate No 5 and has Serino Moodley up for the first time.

The main threat is likely to come from Cotton Ron, who put up a decent performance last time, his first race after an 11-month break in which he was gelded. Lorenzo Karriem’s charge has yet to race on the Polytrack and will be having his second race after that lengthy layoff but Keagan de Melo has been engaged to ride the Noble Tune four-year-old and that could be significant.

Priceless Ruler attempt to make it five from five over 1400m on the Polytrack in Race 4 but faces some strong challengers and Mr Gonzales from gate No 3 could spoil his record.

Jack Milner’s selections

Race 1: 5 Oshakati, 2 Cotton Ron, 6 Rio Supremo, 9 Lord Edward

Race 2: 3 Trafalgar Square, 4 Princess Tea, 7 Purple Operator, 2 Lebanese Pound

Race 3: 8 Royal Oasis, 5 Sea Cruise, 1 Salient Point, 6 Captain Marvel

Race 4: 8 Priceless Ruler, 3 Mr Gonzales, 4 Bowie, 6 Ralph The Rascal

Race 5: 9 Captain Who, 3 Khanyisa Indlela, 12 Straight Up, 2 With Pleasure

Race 6: 6 Masters Beauty, 5 Fashionigma, 8 Que For You, 2 Iron Chef

Race 7: 2 Rain Wear, 8 Mystic Angel, 1 Natalia, 3 Bay Breeze

Race 8: 3 New Orleans, 7 Triptoroyalty, 10 Capriana, 11 Winter Journey

Race 9: 2 Funky Music, 5 Bless Me Fred, 10 High Velocity, 6 Get Carter

BEST BET

Race 1 No 5 Oshakati

VALUE BET

Race 5 No 9 Captain Who

BEST SWINGER

Race 1 2x5

BIPOT

R216

Leg 1: 3, 4, 7

Leg 2: 5, 8

Leg 3: 3, 4, 8

Leg 4: 3, 9

Leg 5: 5, 6

Leg 6: 1, 2, 8

PLACE ACCUMULATOR

R216

Leg 1: 8

Leg 2: 3, 4, 8

Leg 3: 3, 9

Leg 4: 5, 6

Leg 5: 1, 2, 8

Leg 6: 3, 7, 10

Leg 7: 2, 5

PICK 6

R1296

Leg 1: 3, 4, 8

Leg 2: 3, 9, 12

Leg 3: 5, 6, 8

Leg 4: 1, 2, 3, 8

Leg 5: 3, 7, 10, 11

Leg 6: 2, 5, 10

JACKPOT 1

R144

Leg 1: 3, 9, 12

Leg 2: 5, 6, 8

Leg 3: 1, 2, 3, 8

Leg 4: 3, 7, 10, 11

JACKPOT 2

R144

Leg 1: 5, 6, 8

Leg 2: 1, 2, 3, 8

Leg 3: 3, 7, 10, 11

Leg 4: 2, 5, 10