Jack Milner
Trainer Tony Peter looks in line for a feature-race double at Turffontein on Saturday where he sends out Main Defender and VJ’s Angel in the Grade 2 in the Grade 2 Betway Joburg Spring Challenge and the Betway Joburg Spring F&M Spring Challenge respectively, both over 1450m on the Inside track at Turffontein on Saturday.
To make the meeting even more enthralling for bettors, there is a R1-million Pick 6 carryover with the pool likely to reach R5 million.
Main Defender won this race in a canter last year and looks set to do the double, despite carrying 9.5kg more than when he won it as a three-year-old in 2023.
He had an excellent three-year-old career and showed his true ability when capturing his first Grade 1 success in the HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes over 1600m on the Standside track.
Peter's charge was last seen finishing second to Unzen, who is also in this field, late last season but is weighted to comfortably avenge that 1.40-length defeat on 6.5kg better terms.
In addition Main Defender will come in as the best weighted runner, but by just 1kg from William Robertson.
Gavin Lerena will ride Main Defender for the first time.
In 2022 William Robertson edged out KwaZulu-Natal raider and Corne Spies’ charge will carry 1kg less than when he won.
He is not always the most reliable runner but he is certainly can run when in the right mood and likes this course and distance. Marco van Rensburg takes the ride.
KwaZulu-Natal-based trainer Stuart Ferrie has entered Gladatorian in the race and the gelding is a Grade 1 winner who is in top form at the moment.
The five-year-old son of Vercingetorix is a seven-time winner and will have regular jockey Sean Veale in the irons.
Barbaresco, an impressive winner in his last race over 1600m at the track, will take his place and will have Raymond Danielson up for the first time while Sean Tarry will be running talented three-year-old Dantonfromsandton who was touched off by Cats Pajamas in the Grade 2 Umkhomazi Stakes over 1200m at Hollywoodbets Greyville. The winner franked that in no uncertain terms form in his comeback run last Sunday.
The fillies and mares’ race is equally exciting and probably even more competitive. Peter has Grade 1 Premiers Champion Stakes winner, three-year-old filly, VJ’s Angel in the field. She beat the colts on that occasion but she does get a Grade 1 penalty and will carry 54kg and will have to overcome the widest draw in the 14-horse field.
Kabelo Matsunyane will take the ride.
Gimme A Shot bounced back to her best form with an impressive win last time over this distance but on the Vaal Classic track. This Mike and Adam Azzie-trained filly was a top-class three-year old and should be a force now back to her best, with Craig Zackey in the irons.
Others to consider are Celtic Rumours, White Pearl and Captain Peg.
Jack Milner's selections
Race 1: 1 The Octagon, 5 Obsidian, 4 Cliffie Clavin, 2 Jabberwocky
Race 2: 3 Fetching Flyer, 6 Ancient Wisdom, 5 Stormy Sunday, 7 Countess Q
Race 3: 3 Battleofbarberton, 4 Moola Man, 1 Atarime, 7 Master Tik Tok
Race 4: 2 Raiseahallelujah, 7 Explosive Bond, 5 Mambo Come Tesio, 4 Twin Turbo
Race 5: 3 Mia Moo, 1 Salenio Peninsula, 6 Say It Loud, 5 Bosum Buddy
Race 6: 11 VJ's Angel, 1 Gimme A Shot, 2 Celtic Rumours, 6 White Pearl
Race 7: 1 Main Defender, 3 William Robertson, 4 Gladatorian, 6 Unzen
Race 8: 4 Buffalo Storm Cody, 5 Musical Score, 8 Bakwena, 2 Truth
Race 9: 1 Swing Upon A Star, 6 Rainbow Reward, 8 Smith And Wesson, 5 Karangetang
BEST BET
Race 7 No 1 Main Defender
VALUE BET
Race 9 No 1 Swing Upon A Star
BEST SWINGER
Race 1 1x5
BIPOT
R144
Leg 1: 3, 5, 6, 7
Leg 2: 1, 3, 4, 7
Leg 3: 2
Leg 4: 1, 3, 6
Leg 5: 1, 2, 11
Leg 6: 1
PLACE ACCUMULATOR
R243
Leg 1: 1, 3, 4
Leg 2: 2
Leg 3: 1, 3, 6
Leg 4: 1, 2, 11
Leg 5: 1
Leg 6: 4, 5, 8
Leg 7: 1, 6, 8
PICK 6
R800
Leg 1: 2, 7
Leg 2: 1, 3, 4, 5, 6
Leg 3: 1, 2, 6, 11
Leg 4: 1
Leg 5: 2, 4, 5, 8
Leg 6: 1, 5, 6, 7, 8
JACKPOT 1
R80
Leg 1: 1, 3, 4, 5, 6
Leg 2: 1, 2, 6, 11
Leg 3: 1
Leg 4: 2, 4, 5, 8
JACKPOT 2
R80
Leg 1: 1, 2, 6, 11
Leg 2: 1
Leg 3: 2, 4, 5, 8
Leg 4: 1, 5, 6, 7, 8