Jack Milner: All but two of the races at the Vaal on Thursday are for maidens but there are some good bets available.
Portico looks the best bet on the card and Paul Peter’s runner appears ready to find his way back to the winner’s enclosure after the running of Race 7, a Graduation Plate over 1100m.
His previous victory was in March last year but the three-year-old son of What A Winter has started to find his best form again after going off the boil late last year.
He was gelded in January and was even tried over longer distances but since Peter has brought him back to 1200m, Portico has started to show some consistency. His last run, in particular, was most encouraging as he finished a one-length second to Vaseem in a Progress Plate over 1200m at this course.
He comes into this race as the best-weighted runner and is at least 1.5kg better handicapped based on merit ratings. S’manga Khumalo, who rode him last time, has stayed with the ride.
Peter could also be on the mark with What A Miracle in Race 5, a Maiden Plate for fillies and mares over 1000m. This half-sister to Mythical Bolt and Miracle Flight ran unplaced on debut in December but returned last month over 1000m at the Vaal.
She clearly needed the run but was only caught close home to finish a 0.60-length third behind Winter Renegade.
Although still a two-year-old, she should be too good in this line-up.
Country Squire came back to form with an emphatic win his last start and Grant Maroun’s runner looks likely to get a quick double in Race 6, a MR 80 Handicap over 1000m.
This five-year-old entire seems to like this course and distance where his tally is two wins and two places from seven runs.
It is also interesting Maroun has engaged Lyle Hewitson to ride the son of Duke Of Marmalade.
Jack Milner’s selections
Race 1: 10 Mr Livingston, 1 Fort Commander, 7 Willtowin, 9 Invincible Wall
Race 2: 10 Sicilian Tiger, 3 Excellarator, 1 Chief Rafeef, 7 Letsdoit
Race 3: 12 Quest From Afar, 6 Meteoric, 3 Bass Line, 11 Puff Of Smoke
Race 4: 6 Maraca Ginger, 4 Brief Crusade, 1 Night King, 2 Lulu’s Boy
Race 5: 8 What A Miracle, 6 Princess Queen, 5 Moonshiningthrough, 3 Vuitton
Race 6: 2 Country Squire, 5 Alesian Chief, 1 Godswood, 4 Successful Secret
Race 7: 1 Portico, 6 Dockofthebay, 4 Captain Morisco, 2 Lucy In The Sky
Race 8: 1 Lady Of The Flame, 7 Mckenna Skye, 3 Kissed By Fire, 2 Dancing Arabian
BEST BET
Race 7 No 1 Portico
VALUE BET
Race 4 No 6 Maraca Ginger
BEST SWINGER
Race 8 1×7
BIPOT
R216
Leg 1: 1, 7, 10
Leg 2: 1, 3, 10
Leg 3: 3, 6, 11, 12
Leg 4: 1, 4, 6
Leg 5: 8
Leg 6: 2, 5
PLACE ACCUMULATOR
R144
Leg 1: 1, 3, 10
Leg 2: 3, 6, 11, 12
Leg 3: 1, 4, 6
Leg 4: 8
Leg 5: 2, 5
Leg 6: 1
Leg 7: 1, 7
PICK 6
R1080
Leg 1: 3, 6, 12
Leg 2: 1, 2, 4, 6
Leg 3: 5, 6, 8
Leg 4: 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7
Leg 5: 1
Leg 6: 1, 2, 3, 6, 7
JACKPOT 1
R72
Leg 1: 1, 2, 4, 6
Leg 2: 5, 6, 8
Leg 3: 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7
Leg 4: 1
JACKPOT 2
R90
Leg 1: 5, 6, 8
Leg 2: 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7
Leg 3: 1
Leg 4: 1, 2, 3, 6, 7