Jack Milner
For punters who love to delve into the world of the exotic bets, a banker is often seen as a prerequisite for success.
It would be nice to find a banker at a good price but often won has to find a runner at a short price to fill that role.
But, as a good friend of mine used to say, a winner is good bet at any price, and that could be the case in Race 3 at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Wednesday when Garth Puller sends out Flag Man in a Maiden Plate over 1600m on the turf track.
This three-year-old colt is by Flying The Flag out of Irresistable Chris, which makes him a half-brother to Capetown Beauty who will be contesting one race earlier.
Flag Man has run twice, his first over 1200m at Hollywoodbets Scottsville. There was hardly a farthing for him on that occasion and he went off at 66-1. However, he put up a solid performance to finish fifth, beaten just 3.25 lengths by Flight Path.
For Flag Man’s second outing Puller pushed him up to 1600m at Greyville and this time there was a fair amount of money for him and he started at 5-1. Unfortunately, he lost his race at the start by rearing but kicked on resolutely to finish a 0.60-length second behind Spring Flyer.
That race is turning into a decent form line as three runners have gone on to win their next starts and they are fourth-placed Master Of The Turf, fifth-placed Laudato and, most recently, sixth-placed Billy Of Tea.
Puller is certainly not taking any chances as he has engaged Richard Fourie to ride his charge.
Jack Milner’s selections
Race 1: 4 Jane's Vision, 8 Nellie Melba, 2 Skytrix, 5 Head Girl
Race 2: 4 Pirate Prince, 3 Addabar, 6 Danse Milord, 1 Sunday Island
Race 3: 8 Flag Man, 1 Power Star, 2 Torix Night, 5 Shott The Rapids
Race 4: 2 Silky Jet, 8 Fairy Tripp, 6 Piece By Piece, 1 Ambitious Lady
Race 5: 2 Giambattista, 4 Porfirio, 9 Thunder Masala, 6 Master Tobe
Race 6: 1 Maggie Smith, 7 Princess Ozma, 4 Poursomesugaronme, 3 Drive By
Race 7: 8 Licence To Thrill, 9 Music Is Life, 6 Diani, 3 Stanley Park
Race 8: 2 Cinnamon Blush, 6 Spirited Flight, 7 Bitcoin Baby, 5 Aspoestertjie
BEST BET
Race 3 No 8 Flag Man
VALUE BET
Race 5 No 2 Giambattista
BEST SWINGER
Race 2 3x4
BIPOT
R384
Leg 1: 2, 4, 5, 8
Leg 2: 3, 4
Leg 3: 8
Leg 4: 2, 6, 8
Leg 5: 2, 4, 6, 9
Leg 6: 1, 3, 4, 7
PLACE ACCUMULATOR
R243
Leg 1: 4
Leg 2: 8
Leg 3: 2, 6, 8
Leg 4: 2, 4, 9
Leg 5: 1, 4, 7
Leg 6: 6, 8, 9
Leg 7: 2, 6, 7
PICK 6
R1440
Leg 1: 8
Leg 2: 1, 2, 6, 7, 8
Leg 3: 2, 4, 6, 9
Leg 4: 1, 3, 4, 7
Leg 5: 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9
Leg 6: 2, 6, 7
JACKPOT 1
R480
Leg 1: 1, 2, 6, 7, 8
Leg 2: 2, 4, 6, 9
Leg 3: 1, 3, 4, 7
Leg 4: 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9
JACKPOT 2
R360
Leg 1: 2, 4, 6, 9
Leg 2: 1, 3, 4, 7
Leg 3: 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9
Leg 4: 2, 6, 7