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