Jack Milner: Apprentice Rachel Venniker is making a name for herself wherever she rides and last Saturday made a triumphant debut on the Highveld with two winners at Turffontein, both for Dianne Stenger.
There are three races reserved for apprentices on Thursday’s card on the Vaal Classic course and many punters will be betting against Venniker returning to KwaZulu-Natal empty handed.
She is really good value for her 4kg allowance but bettors must be aware she has already ridden 19 winners and should she have one more, that allowance will drop to 2.5kg.
She has attracted a lot of attention from two former champion jockeys who are working closely with her – 11-time champion Michael Roberts as well as MJ Odendaal – both of whom are trainers in KZN.
Odendaal, in particular heaps praise on Venniker and is convinced she is the “real deal” and is South Africa’s answer to Hayley Turner.
Apart from giving Venniker basic advice, such as encouraging her to develop her core fitness and strength, Odendaal also assisted her to secure a sponsorship from Dacha South Africa.
Her best ride could come up in Race 6, an Apprentice Classified Stakes over 1450m, where she will ride Dark Travel for trainer Brett Webber.
This Trippi filly came up from the Western Cape but has yet to win on the Highveld. However, her merit rating has come down to a more competitive level and she looks ready to win a race of this nature.
She has also been forced to overcome wide draws in her last few starts but did produce the fastest 400m to finish in her previous two race. This time Venniker will jump from No 1 draw, a great advantage over this 1450m as they have around 100m to run before hitting the turn.
Jack Milner’s selections
Race 1: 8 Definitely Maybe, 7 By Crikey Man, 4 Twice A Miracle, 1 Montbleu
Race 2: 8 Leeson, 4 Magnum P I, 3 Admiral Dooley, 6 Cross Examiner
Race 3: 8 Monashada, 2 Willow Lane, 3 Maboneng, 1 Fasinada
Race 4: 2 Willow’s Wish, 6 Safe Passage, 1 Infinite Wonder, 7 Fsquadron
Race 5: 5 Secret Is Ours, 4 Blue Moon City, 1 Flying Grace, 7 Tinder Dry
Race 6: 6 Dark Travel, 4 Miracle And Wonder, 3 Eastern Belle, 1 Flinders Range
Race 7: 8 Phoenix, 2 May Queen, 4 Now You See Me, 7 Spiritofthegroove
Race 8: 2 Tallinn, 3 Sprinkles, 1 Hollywoodbound, 6 Meet The Captain
BEST BET
Race 1 No 8 Definitely Maybe
VALUE BET
Race 8 No 2 Tallinn
BEST SWINGER
Race 4 2×6
BIPOT
R162
Leg 1: 8
Leg 2: 3, 4, 8
Leg 3: 2, 3, 8
Leg 4: 2, 6
Leg 5: 1, 4, 5
Leg 6: 3, 4, 6
PLACE ACCUMULATOR
R216
Leg 1: 4, 8
Leg 2: 2, 8
Leg 3: 2
Leg 4: 4, 5
Leg 5: 3, 4, 6
Leg 6: 2, 4, 8
Leg 7: 1, 2, 3
PICK 6
R1920
Leg 1: 1, 2, 3, 8
Leg 2: 2, 6
Leg 3: 1, 4, 5, 7
Leg 4: 1, 3, 4, 6
Leg 5: 2, 4, 8
Leg 6: 1, 2, 3, 5, 6
JACKPOT 1
R160
Leg 1: 2, 6
Leg 2: 1, 4, 5, 7
Leg 3: 1, 3, 4, 6
Leg 4: 2, 4, 7, 8, 9
JACKPOT 2
R400
Leg 1: 1, 4, 5, 7
Leg 2: 1, 3, 4, 6
Leg 3: 2, 4, 7, 8, 9
Leg 4: 1, 2, 3, 5, 6