Jack Milner: With rain in Durban on Tuesday and more expected, Gold Circle made an early decision to move Wednesday’s Hollywoodbets Greyville race meeting from the turf track to the Polytrack.
Race times and distances, though, remain as carded.
Of course, the move will impact horses differently. Some hate the Polytrack, some love it and others are indifferent.
The last mentioned looks to be the case with Giacomo Puccini. He had some good form on the turf in Cape Town but clearly trainer Justin Snaith felt this son of Captain Al might benefit from a change in surface.
He has had one run on the poly, and he finished a smart 1.50-length third behind stable companion Captain Tatters over 1400m.
He will line up in Race 7, a Graduation Plate over 1200m, where he is one of the best weighted runners.
Giacomo Puccini is better known as a writer of operas. The dam of this four-year-old gelding is One Fine Day, which is also the name of an aria from Madame Butterfly, an opera by Puccini, so hence the name.
With Anton Marcus up from No 5 draw the composer’s equine namesake is also expected to experience one fine day on the poly.
Siya Vuma made an eye-catching debut on the poly and the change of surface looks likely to suit this son of Ideal World when he lines up in Race 3, a Maiden Plate for three-year-olds over 1400m.
His first race was also over 1400m when he was beaten just 1.20 lengths into second place by African Skyline. It is worth noting that two winners from three runners have come out of that form line, so it is looking quite potent and is worth following.
Trainer Doug Campbell has engaged Warren Kennedy to take the ride on this occasion.
Jack Milner’s selections
Race 1: 5 Soweto Rose, 8 Ndaka, 7 Vegas Gold, 4 Iron Bark
Race 2: 6 Another Love, 8 Alfonse Baby, 2 Star Choice, 3 Quickstep Lady
Race 3: 6 Siya Vuma, 1 Red Sole, 7 Mighty Mashona, 3 Billy Bazooka
Race 4: 6 Airways Law, 12 Galabier, 11 Arumugam, 2 Pineview
Race 5: 1 A Thousand Tunes, 6 Coral Copy, 7 Grey Linngari, 4 Young Nelson
Race 6: 10 Smart William, 4 Mambo Symphony, 12 A Whole New World, 7 In Auro
Race 7: 5 Giacomo Puccini, 7 Ramchandani Road, 2 Hooves Of Troy, 6 Prince Of Taranto
Race 8: 6 Rock With Me, 10 Coromandel, 9 Don’T Touch Me, 12 Living Waters
BEST BET
Race 7 No 5 Giacomo Puccini
VALUE BET
Race 8 No 6 Rock With Me
BEST SWINGER
Race 3 1×6
BIPOT
R324
Leg 1: 5, 8
Leg 2: 2, 6, 8
Leg 3: 1, 6
Leg 4: 6, 11, 12
Leg 5: 1, 6, 7
Leg 6: 4, 10, 12
PLACE ACCUMULATOR
R216
Leg 1: 6, 8
Leg 2: 1, 6
Leg 3: 6, 12
Leg 4: 1, 6, 7
Leg 5: 4, 10, 12
Leg 6: 5
Leg 7: 6, 9, 10
PICK 6
R2268
Leg 1: 1, 6, 7
Leg 2: 6, 11, 12
Leg 3: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
Leg 4: 4, 7, 10, 12
Leg 5: 5
Leg 6: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 9, 10, 11, 12
JACKPOT 1
R72
Leg 1: 6, 11, 12
Leg 2: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
Leg 3: 4, 7, 10, 12
Leg 4: 5
JACKPOT 2
R252
Leg 3: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
Leg 4: 4, 7, 10, 12
Leg 5: 5
Leg 6: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 9, 10, 11, 12