After the electrifying excitement of the World Sports Betting Cape Town Met, Joburg racing takes over centre stage again this Saturday with the first legs of the WSB SA Triple Crown and Wilgerbosdrift SA Triple Tiara, plus a Grade 3 1000m sprint named in honour of Tommy Hotspur, arguably the fastest horse in the history of South African racing. And TAB is adding glitter to the day with a R500,000 Pick 6 carryover, which is set to generate a total pool of some R3 million and provide the opportunity to land a tidy win for a small outlay. Below is a brief guide to the Pick 6 races.
Race 4: Sparingly raced GOOD QUEEN BESS carries a big weight on her return from a layoff, but has been consistent at a higher level. She does run well fresh and will sport blinkers for the first time, so must be included. Unexposed three-year-old males THE MAURITIAN, CIAN THE CONQUEROR and MUNCHKIN are probably better than rated and also worth including.
Pick 6: 2-3-7-8
Race 5: Fillies BIG BURN and BON VIVANT are favourably treated by the conditions and are obvious inclusions after facile wins last time out. It’s worth noting, however, that riding arrangements suggest BON VIVANT’S stablemate KARANGETANG could be the pick of the yard's four runners. ALULA'S STAR is capable of upsetting, while time off after his disappointing last start may have benefitted FAR AWAY WINTER, who could bounce back to form and pose a threat under a light weight.
Pick 6: 3-4-5-11-12
Race 6: GIMME A SHOT is the horse to beat and many will make her a banker in exotic-bet permutations. She was an authoritative feature-race winner of her only start over this course and distance and a repeat of that effort should see her go close. FEATHER BOA and rapidly improving UNITED COUNCIL could emerge the biggest dangers, but will need things to bounce their way from wider draws. It wouldn't come as a surprise to see unexposed KINKY BOOTS run into the money.
Pick 6: 1
Race 7: SHOEMAKER, EAST COAST and ROYAL VICTORY renew rivalry after finishing in that order behind Union Square in the Dingaans over the course and distance earlier in the season. All are capable of playing a role in the outcome. ANFIELDS ROCKET beat two of those rivals in the 1400m Graham Beck and impressed when winning over 1000m recently, so is another to be taken seriously. MONEY HEIST and LE MORNE are not without chances and a win by either will put the Pick 6 on the path to a big payout!
Pick 6: 1-2-3-4-6-9
Race 8: Many with chances in this handicap, so include as many as the budget allows. Last-start winners EMERALD PRINCESS, BUREAU DES LEGENDE and WOKONDA make obvious appeal, while ETERNITY RING QUEEN OF SHADOWS, PRINCESS PHILIPPA and SISTER LIGHT are all capable having a say in the finish.
Pick 6: 1-4-5-7-8-9-10-11
Race 9:
IPSO FACTO and GIMMEALIGHT boast solid post-maiden form and are distance suited, so must be shortlisted. IN THE BEGINNING, SAVE THE QUEEN and MOTHER OF PEARL are progressive sorts and capable of posing threats given they will likely improve.
Pick 6: 2-4-5-7-8
Suggested Pick 6 perm (10% = R480): 2,3,7,8 x 3,4,5,11,12 x 1 x 1,2,3,4,6,9 x 1,4,5,7,8,9,10,11 x 2,4,5,7,8.