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Return to sprint trip favours Surjay

Written by Jack Milner | Dec 21, 2024 5:50:26 PM

Jack Milner

Surjay returns to his favourite distance at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Sunday and can pick up another victory in the Grade 2 De Grendel Cape Merchants over 1200m.

This Brett and James Crawford-trained gelding is a five-time winner and all of them have been over 1200m.

In fact, this six-year-old Vercingetorix has won four of them at this track with the other victory coming in the Grade 1 Merchants at Hollywoodbets Greyville in July.

His last two runs were over 1400m and 1600m respectively but he did not appear to see out the longer distance and this race should be ideal for him.

Kabelo Matsunyane takes the ride and they are perfectly positioned in gate No 2.

A full field of 20 goes to the gates for this feature won last year by Cosmic Highway, who lines up in defence of his title as one of a four-pronged attack from the Dean Kannemeyer stable.

Craig Zackey tends to have the choice of rides for the yard but he is aboard At My Command, who ran a decent third in the Grade 3 Matchem Stakes over 1400m at Hollywoodbets Durbanville last time, for the Crawford yard.

Another interesting runner is Glen Kotzen-trained King Regent who recently won all three legs of the Poly Challenge at Fairview.

Despite the change of surface, it is worth noting the Dynasty gelding has a record of two wins in third starts over the course and distance, and also has a win over former Horse-Of-The-Year Princess Calla in his CV.

Denis Schwarz did an excellent job aboard this gelding at Fairview and it comes as no surprise he will back on board come Sunday.

 

Jack Milner’s selections

Race 1: 15 Phil The Fluter, 1 Master Bomber, 8 Heal And Soul, 7 Honorine's Gimmie

Race 2: 8 Catch A Penny, 6 Angel's Oasis, 1 Strawberry Thief, 2 Ocotillo

Race 3: 4 State Capitol, 7 Hang Out The Stars, 1 Mela Strength, 6 Ozark

Race 4: 8 Little Lexi, 10 Wehaveasituation, 4 Warbird, 9 Alessia Asheville

Race 5: 11 Bounceback, 1 Victor Hugo, 6 Ariovistus, 8 Secret Passage

Race 6: 9 Dawn Till Dusk, 1 Promettere, 10 Solomons Seal, 3 King Pelles

Race 7: 2 Surjay, 14 At My Command, 19 King Regent, 13 Seeking The Stars, 4 The Real Prince

Race 8: 2 Swiatek, 1 Philosophise, 9 Miraculous, 4 All Is Green

Race 9: 13 Dafnes Daughter, 2 In The Green Zone, 10 Hear My Voice, 7 Shipindani

 

BEST BET

Race 9 No 13 Dafnes Daughter

VALUE BET

Race 3 No 4 State Capitol

BEST SWINGER

Race 5 1x11

 

BIPOT

R324

Leg 1: 1, 6, 8

Leg 2: 1, 4, 7

Leg 3: 4, 8, 10

Leg 4: 11

Leg 5: 1, 9, 10

Leg 6: 2, 13, 14, 19

 

PLACE ACCUMULATOR

R324

Leg 1: 1, 4, 7

Leg 2: 4, 8, 11

Leg 3: 11

Leg 4: 1, 9, 10

Leg 5: 2, 13, 14, 19

Leg 6: 1, 2, 9

Leg 7: 13

 

PICK 6

R1800

Leg 1: 4, 8, 9, 10, 12

Leg 2: 1, 11

Leg 3: 1, 3, 7, 9, 10

Leg 4: 1, 2, 4, 5, 10, 13, 14, 18, 19

Leg 5: 1, 2, 4, 9

Leg 6: 13

 

JACKPOT 1

R360

Leg 1: 1, 11

Leg 2: 1, 3, 7, 9, 10

Leg 3: 1, 2, 4, 5, 10, 13, 14, 18, 19

Leg 4: 1, 2, 4, 9

 

JACKPOT 2

R180

Leg 1: 1, 3, 7, 9, 10

Leg 2: 1, 2, 4, 5, 10, 13, 14, 18, 19

Leg 3: 1, 2, 4, 9

Leg 4: 13