Danon Platina filly Regeneration was one of the more eye-catching three-year-olds seen in KwaZulu-Natal this season.
The Robbie Hill-trained filly was many lengths back turning into the final 400m but sauntered home in the short straight at Hollywoodbets Greyville at the end of September, and it could be much of the same as she makes her handicap debut at the same venue on Sunday.
She reportedly cost only R80,000, but owner Preggie Somasundrum looks to have a progressive filly who could be anything. She made it look easy, coming from where she did over 1200m, but more exciting is that she is bred for at least 1600m and in Race 7, a MR 73 Handicap for fillies and mares on the turf track, she gets to stretch her legs over 1400m.
She has drawn a bit wide, but Hill looks to have placed her well. While there are a few decent runners in the field there is not much of a spread in the weights and she won’t have to make big improvement to win.
Fort J’Adore is tough to pass when in front but along with Miss Paget, the other well-performed runner, appear to be at their best on the Polytrack. Fellow three-year-old State Secret gave cheek last time and is back over her best distance so could make things at least a little bit interesting.
What is very relevant is that Marco van Rensburg, who rode her on debut, doesn’t get the ride this time. He rides Happy Analia, a filly with 1000m form and could be out of her depth over the distance. The ride has gone to Jabu Jacobs who has had limited opportunities, but he has shown that he has the ability.
It is worth noting trainer Alec Laird brings just one horse into town and not only is she improving but she has been given a plum gate on local debut. Highveld form is quite superior to local form, especially if there are no obvious stars in the line-up and Zalta Star (Race 2) could bring it home for the trainer whose Greeting My Master won the Grade 3 Betway Victory Moon Stakes in thrilling fashion at Turffontein on Monday.
Jack Milner’s selections
Race 1: 6 Top Gun, 9 Captainship, 2 Whereverilaymyhat, 1 Paved With Gold
Race 2: 3 Zalta Star, 6 Nautical Landing, 8 Got The Fever, 1 Grand Occasion
Race 3: 6 Tyrconnell, 2 I Salute You, 3 Mvelelo, 7 Bom Bom
Race 4: 8 Jazz Festival, 3 Pongola, 5 Global Movement, 2 Kimball O'Hara
Race 5: 8 Mystique Rouge, 14 Queen Amina, 7 English Primrose, 3 Givers Grace
Race 6: 6 Shipholia, 1 Bevies Delight, 5 Sovereign Grant, 2 Red Roses Too
Race 7: 7 Regeneration, 4 State Secret, 8 Fort J'Adore, 5 Miss Paget
Race 8: 8 Neitherherenorther, 5 Sundance Kid, 7 Kitchakal, 6 Shampompo Shimizu
BEST BET
Race 8 No 8 Neitherherenorther
VALUE BET
Race 5 No 8 Mystique Rouge
BEST SWINGER
Race 2 3x6
BIPOT
R384
Leg 1: 2, 6, 9
Leg 2: 3, 6
Leg 3: 2, 6
Leg 4: 2, 3, 5, 8
Leg 5: 3, 7, 8, 14
Leg 6: 1, 6
PLACE ACCUMULATOR
R144
Leg 1: 3, 6
Leg 2: 2, 6
Leg 3: 3, 5, 8
Leg 4: 7, 8, 14
Leg 5: 1, 6
Leg 6: 4, 7
Leg 7: 8
PICK 6
R1920
Leg 1: 2, 3, 6, 7
Leg 2: 2, 3, 5, 7, 8
Leg 3: 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14
Leg 4: 1, 5, 6
Leg 5: 4, 5, 7, 8
Leg 6: 8
JACKPOT 1
R480
Leg 1: 2, 3, 5, 7, 8
Leg 2: 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14
Leg 3: 1, 5, 6
Leg 4: 4, 5, 7, 8
JACKPOT 2
R96
Leg 1: 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14
Leg 2: 1, 5, 6
Leg 3: 4, 5, 7, 8
Leg 4: 8