Jack Milner
Although it looks to be a testing card, there could be two possible bankers for the exotics at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Wednesday to help bettors.
The first comes up in Race 3, a Maiden Plate for fillies and mares over 1950m, where Duncan Howells sends out Natasha Rostov.
It would be remiss not to point out a technical error in the name because in Russia, while a male would have the surname Rostov, the female would have the letter “a” at the end, so it should be Rostova.
And for the record, Natasha Rostova is a central character in Leo Tolstoy’s epic novel War And Peace.
Now back to the racing.
This daughter of Coup De Grace is not going to Hollywood, but she is rarely far off the leading runners and Howells has found the ideal race for her. This is not the strongest of fields and the average merit rating is just 53.
Her last race, which was over 1750m at this course, saw Natasha Rostov produce the fastest final 400m to end up a 2.80-length third behind Bell Starbuster.
That was her first race after a rest and it should have brought her on nicely. Kabelo Matsunyane, who is having a fine run currently, takes the ride for the first time.
The other banker comes up in Race 6, a MR 94 Handicap over 1600m, where Dean Kannemeyer saddles Gimmie A Star.
This three-year-old son of Gimmethegreenlight looks a decent sort and has a record of three wins, a third and two fifth places from his six starts.
He came back from a layoff to win last time over this course and distance and although he did run around a bit, he won well and can follow up with Keagan de Melo in the irons.
Jack Milner’s selections
Race 1: 2 Totally Rocks, 7 Acacia's Blossom, 11 Get In The Q, 12 Guten Tag
Race 2: 8 Royal Oasis, 7 Guest Getorixx, 2 Act Naturally, 4 She's Not Easy
Race 3: 7 Natasha Rostov, 4 Sea Cruise, 2 Mythical Tune, 6 Top Ten
Race 4: 1 Isla Morada, 6 Consol Queen, 5 Wedding Bliss, 8 Reckless Love
Race 5: 6 Willow's Wish, 1 Arumugam, 2 With Pleasure, 4 Monarchy
Race 6: 3 Gimmie A Star, 7 Spring High, 4 Platinum Sky, 1 Full Blast
Race 7: 2 Faustino, 4 Trivial Matter, 5 Giacomo Puccini, 1 All Of Me
Race 8: 6 Flying The Star, 4 Her Royal Majesty, 2 Casa Rosada, 8 Scottadito
BEST BET
Race 3 No 7 Natasha Rostov
VALUE BET
Race 2 No 8 Royal Oasis
BEST SWINGER
Race 1 2x7
BIPOT
R72
Leg 1: 2, 7
Leg 2: 2, 7, 8
Leg 3: 7
Leg 4: 1, 5, 6, 8
Leg 5: 1, 2, 6
Leg 6: 3
PLACE ACCUMULATOR
R162
Leg 1: 2, 7, 8
Leg 2: 7
Leg 3: 1, 5, 6
Leg 4: 1, 6
Leg 5: 3
Leg 6: 2, 4, 5
Leg 7: 2, 4, 6
PICK 6
R600
Leg 1: 7
Leg 2: 1, 5, 6, 8, 9
Leg 3: 1, 2, 4, 6
Leg 4: 3
Leg 5: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8
Leg 6: 2, 4, 6, 8, 9
JACKPOT 1
R120
Leg 1: 1, 5, 6, 8, 9
Leg 2: 1, 2, 4, 6
Leg 3: 3
Leg 4: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8
JACKPOT 2
R120
Leg 1: 1, 2, 4, 6
Leg 2: 3
Leg 3: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8
Leg 4: 2, 4, 6, 8, 9