Peter to get bettors off to winning start

Jack Milner

Trainer Tony Peter has some decent runners in action at Turffontein on Thursday when they race on the Inside track.

It is often the kiss of death when a tipster starts sprouting off about the number of winners any trainer or jockey will have on any given day but there would certainly be no inquiry were Peter to come away with an early treble and walk off with the first three races on the card.

In Race 1, a Work Riders Maiden Plate over 1500m, unexposed Peter-trained filly Mist In Ireland looks a decent proposition. Her debut fourth over 1160m on the Standside track was very encouraging.

This daughter of Danon Platina would have benefitted from that experience and is open to any amount of improvement, especially over the extended distance she is bred to enjoy.

Chase Maujean rode her on debut but there was not really much in the way of betting support but on the other hand, she did not blow off the boards either. In fact, she hovered between 10-1 and 25-2 which gave the impression that she was not really expected to win but a good run was predicted. If that was the case, they were spot on.

Phenisile Mongqawa, who works for the yard, gets the ride this time.

A race later Maujean does have a ride for the Peter yard, and he is aboard Safe Space in this MR 72 Handicap over 1600m.

This five-year-old Elusive Fort gelding caught the eye in a stronger race just nine days ago when running on to finish a close-up second behind Wild Intent in a MR 81 Handicap over 1700m at the Vaal.

What is even more relevant is that a run earlier Safe Space ran fourth behind Mike de Kock-trained Heather’s Boy, who is being touted as a star in the making.

A repeat of either of those efforts should suffice for this gelding to win in this field, despite racing off a career-high mark under a resultant three-point penalty for his second place last time.

With Safe Space good value to go one better in Race 2, the stable’s strong start to the meeting could spill over to the following event too.

Peter and Gavin Lerena team up again in Race 3 and are likely to add to their already impressive record with returning Vibe SA in this Maiden Plate over 1200m. This four-year-old of Just As Well has been costly to follow but would not be winning out of turn, having finished second in six of his eight outings including all three Highveld appearances since joining Peter’s stable after relocating from Gareth van Zyl’s KwaZulu-Natal base.

Vibe SA hasn’t been seen in action since 4 July but boasts by far the strongest form in the race, so he need not be fully wound up to make a winning comeback, and the booking of Lerena augurs well.

In fairness, this gelding has not always had the best of luck with dropped crops and interference being part of the problem. However, this is the first time Lerena will ride him and perhaps that could bring about a change of fortune.

So, the possibility of the treble exists and it could be the route for daring punters to follow.

Jack Milner’s selections

Race 1: 9 Mist In Ireland, 4 Khichdi, 2 Spy Story, 5 Devilishlygorgeous

Race 2: 1 Safe Space, 2 Potberrie, 6 Honorable Member, 5 Whispers Of War

Race 3: 1 Vibe SA, 7 Lloyd Wright, 5 Drivelikeamaster, 6 Letona

Race 4: 2 Montana Lights, 7 Izanami, 4 Milo's Millionaire, 1 Kalikaa

Race 5: 2 Clear The Path, 3 The Merciful, 6 Plum Blossom, 7 Splashlanding

Race 6: 2 Leao Alado, 4 Dimako's Jet, 3 Circle Of Grace, 7 Futurewolff

Race 7: 4 Saigon Suzie, 5 Lady Of Memphis, 2 Ride On, 1 Valieva

Race 8: 1 His Lordship, 2 Alone Time, 6 Commander Of All, 4 Lava Fire

BEST BET

Race 5 No 2 Clear The Path

VALUE BET

Race 8 No 1 His Lordship

BEST SWINGER

Race 1 4x9

BIPOT

R36

Leg 1: 4, 9

Leg 2: 1, 2

Leg 3: 1

Leg 4: 2, 4, 7

Leg 5: 2

Leg 6: 2, 3, 4

PLACE ACCUMULATOR

R162

Leg 1: 1, 2

Leg 2: 1

Leg 3: 2, 4, 7

Leg 4: 2

Leg 5: 2, 3, 4

Leg 6: 2, 4, 5

Leg 7: 1, 2, 6

PICK 6

R375

Leg 1: 1

Leg 2: 1, 2, 4, 7

Leg 3: 2

Leg 4: 1, 2, 3, 4, 7

Leg 5: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Leg 6: 1, 2, 4, 6, 8

JACKPOT 1

R75

Leg 1: 1, 2, 4, 7

Leg 2: 2

Leg 3: 1, 2, 3, 4, 7

Leg 4: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

JACKPOT 2

R125

Leg 1: 2

Leg 2: 1, 2, 3, 4, 7

Leg 3: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Leg 4: 1, 2, 4, 6, 8