Jack Milner: Competition in any sport always sparks excitement and in Port Elizabeth on Friday we a double rivalry in Race 7, the Listed Dahlia Plate for two-year-olds over 1200m on the turf.
It is not only the usual battle between Alan Greeff and Gavin Smith, but also between their reopposing juveniles – Whatever Next and Norton Sound.
They met last time in the Listed East Cape Nursery over this course and distance and it was Greeff’s charge, Whatever Next, who came on late to beat long-time leader Norton Sound by 0.50 lengths.
They meet at the same weights again, so it is obvious for one to expect the same result this time. However, there are some factors to take into account. Firstly, as two-year-olds they could both have improved, but not necessarily at the same rate.
Secondly, neither colts had everything going his way. In the case of Whatever Next, he raced awkwardly early on, while Norton Sound started to hang in the latter stages.
And thirdly, both have a jockey change. Lyle Hewitson replaces Marco van Rensburg on Norton Sound while Richard Fourie takes over from suspended Greg Cheyne on Whatever Next.
We all know that some horses respond differently to other jockeys so that could also make a difference.
However, Whatever Next does get a tentative nod ahead of Norton Sound, but Swingers and Exactas do look the way to play this race.
Pot Sox had two good races on the turf on debut over 1000m and then ran out an easy winner in her first try over 1200m, although that was on the Polytrack. She does get a 2.5kg sex allowance and could finish in the money.
More was expected from Safari Blue on debut, but he did recoup the losses next time out and could be anything.
Jack Milner’s selections
Race 1: 7 Peace In Our World, 4 Jean Paul, 3 Constellation Code, 1 Aquaholic
Race 2: 4 Life On Mars, 1 Blingking, 6 Shades Of Blu, 3 Al Qaasim