Peg to prove her worth

Jack Milner

Stuart Pettigrew has to be one of the most underrated trainers in the country and as a result many of his decent horses often end up flying below the radar early in their careers.

Pettigrew has trained a number of champions, going back to Tyson many years back and then the likes of Surcharge, who went on to have a successful career internationally as Yulong Prince.

He won a Grade 1 race in Australia and the son of Gimmethegreenlight has now gone to stud in that country.  

Most recently Pettigrew has brought out a Jay Peg filly named Captain Peg. She made her debut as a juvenile in April on the Inside track at Turffontein and was allowed to go off at 16-1. Her odds clearly belied her ability as she came from near last over 1200m and got up close home to beat Ready To Fly by 0.80 lengths.

We did not see her in action again until 4 August when she made her first appearance as a three-year-old in a Graduation Plate for three-year-old fillies over 1450m on the Vaal Classic track.

Once again Captain Peg did not find an iota of betting support. She opened at 6-1, went off at 25-2 and won like an odds-on shot. Despite a slightly slow start, she moved up smartly in the straight and went on to beat Ipso Facto by 4.75 lengths.

In terms of the rules a runner can only get a maximum penalty of 3kg in a Graduation Plate so when Pettigrew’s charge lines up in Race 6 on the Inside track at Turffontein on Thursday to contest a MR 76 Handicap over 1450m, she could find herself way ahead of the handicapper.

She has already won on the track, so that is no problem, and has also proved herself over the distance. Diego de Gouveia rode her to victory in both starts and he is up again.

One thing is certain – there will be no big price on offer about her this time.       

Jack Milner’s selections

Race 1: 2 Batik, 3 Miss Tango, 4 Hertzoggie, 9 Double Joy

Race 2: 4 Jaimala, 5 Bold Fortune, 3 Outofthedarkness, 1 Second Base

Race 3: 10 Pragmatist, 1 Phantomoftheforest, 8 Iron Sky, 6 Burgess

Race 4: 3 Flying First Class, 1 White Fang, 4 Arlington Action, 7 Flag Bearer

Race 5: 6 Coldhardstare, 1 United Express, 2 Silvery Blue, 5 Dancing Dora

Race 6: 2 Captain Peg, 3 Special Variety, 4 Princess Philippa, 7 Red Carpet Girl

Race 7: 4 Crimson Princess, 1 Lucy In The Sky, 8 Golden Aspen, 6 What A Honey

Race 8: 5 Just Be Nice, 12 Fantasy Flower, 4 Quest From Afar, 1 Ridge To Reef

BEST BET

Race 6 No 2 Captain Peg

VALUE BET

Race 8 No 5 Just Be Nice

BEST SWINGER

Race 5 1x6

BIPOT

R216

Leg 1: 2, 3, 4, 9

Leg 2: 3, 4, 5

Leg 3: 1, 8, 10

Leg 4: 1, 3, 4

Leg 5: 1, 6

Leg 6: 2

PLACE ACCUMULATOR

R162

Leg 1: 4

Leg 2: 1, 8, 10

Leg 3: 1, 3, 4

Leg 4: 1, 6

Leg 5: 2

Leg 6: 1, 4, 8

Leg 7: 4, 5, 12

PICK 6

R1500

Leg 1: 1, 5, 6, 8, 10

Leg 2: 1, 3, 4, 7

Leg 3: 1, 2, 6

Leg 4: 2

Leg 5: 1, 4, 5, 6, 8

Leg 6: 1, 4, 5, 6, 12

JACKPOT 1

R60

Leg 1: 1, 3, 4, 7

Leg 2: 1, 2, 6

Leg 3: 2

Leg 4: 1, 4, 5, 6, 8

JACKPOT 2

R75

Leg 1: 1, 2, 6

Leg 2: 2

Leg 3: 1, 4, 5, 6, 8

Leg 4: 1, 4, 5, 6, 12