Pinnacle Stakes a steal for Money Heist

Jack Milner

An interesting Pinnacle Stakes over 1600m heads up Saturday’s card at Turffontein and this one is particularly prestigious as it is being supported by Singapore Pools.

As a result, Race 5 has been named the Singapore Pools Trophy 2025 Pinnacle Stakes and officials from Singapore Pools will be at the course to present the trophy.

Two horses in particular look as if they might dominate the race on the Inside track – Money Heist and Argo Alley.

Tony Peter-trained Money Heist ran his last four races in KwaZulu-Natal where he contested four successive feature races over two seasons, and other than the Listed Thukela Handicap over 1600m at Hollywoodbets Greyville, his comeback run after a year off the track, he placed in all the others.

This is his first run back on the Highveld and his third after the lengthy layoff, so with just 52kg on his back and from No 3 draw, he looks the runner to beat. To add to his chances it should be noted that he won his lone race at this track over 1400m.

Serino Moodley has been in good form and he takes the ride on the six-year-old son of Gimmethegreenlight.

Argo Alley is another in great form and he comes off two successive wins, both over 1400m on the Standside track. St John Gray is another yard in good form and it would come as no surprise to see this son of Argonaut making it three in a row.

As is the case with Money Heist, Argo Alley has also won at this course and his win, in fact, was over this 1600m. He too carries just 52kg and has the extra benefit of jumping from pole position.

Philasande Mxoli rode him to both of those last victories he will hoping to keep his 100% record intact on this occasion.

If one is looking for another runner, perhaps Sean Tarry-trained Hotarubi could provide a serious threat.

The five-year-old Vercingetorix gelding has been running over further and did not embarrass himself when finishing a 2.25-length third to talented UK import The Equator last time. Interestingly, Hotarubi broke a long string of defeats with a victory over 1400m on the Standside track on 1 March, and perhaps this 1600m will be right up is street.

Craig Zackey has ridden him 10 times for four places and was aboard in that last race. He also has a decent weight of just 54kg and should not be underestimated in this field.

Jack Milner’s selections

Race 1: 4 Mo Ment, 1 Breeze Over, 6 Gold De Grace, 3 Key Worker

Race 2: 5 Midnight Flyer, 4 Miami Mountain, 1 Jet Querari, 7 Miss Munroe

Race 3: 7 Paradise Way, 8 Tempranillo, 3 Fish Hawk, 5 Lasting Looks

Race 4: 4 Sheldon, 2 Cosmic Star, 1 Karate Kid, 6 The Abdicator

Race 5: 5 Money Heist, 4 Argo Alley, 2 Hotarubi, 3 Fire 'N Flames

Race 6: 2 The Last Duke, 3 Top Division, 6 Bright And Brazen, 5 It's Personal

Race 7: 3 Destiny Of Fire, 5 Palace Dancer, 1 Hierkommiebokkie, 2 One Fell Swoop

Race 8: 9 Heavenly Good, 8 Valentina Balducci, 6 Fair Proposal, 4 Cape Saffron

Race 9: 1 Potberrie, 4 Pressonregardless, 3 Command Pilot, 12 Plus Four

BEST BET

Race 2: 5 Midnight Flyer

VALUE BET

Race 9: 1 Potberrie

BEST SWINGER

Race 7 3x5

BIPOT                          

R128

Leg 1: 5

Leg 2: 7, 8

Leg 3: 1, 2, 4, 6

Leg 4: 2, 3, 5, 6

Leg 5: 2, 3, 5, 6

Leg 6: 3, 5

PLACE ACCUMULATOR

R216

Leg 1: 7

Leg 2: 1, 4, 6

Leg 3: 4, 5

Leg 4: 2, 3, 6

Leg 5: 3, 5

Leg 6: 8, 9

Leg 7: 1, 3, 4

PICK 6

R1800

Leg 1: 1, 2, 4, 5, 6

Leg 2: 2, 4, 5

Leg 3: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

Leg 4: 3, 5

Leg 5: 6, 8, 9

Leg 6: 1, 3, 4, 12

JACKPOT 1

R90

Leg 1: 2, 4, 5

Leg 2: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

Leg 3: 3, 5

Leg 4: 6, 8, 9

JACKPOT 2

R120

Leg 1: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

Leg 2: 3, 5

Leg 3: 6, 8, 9

Leg 4: 1, 3, 4, 12