Jack Milner
Shoemaker was always highly regarded by trainer Mike de Kock who called him a “proper horse” after his first run.
After two consecutive wins the three-year-old son of Gimmethegreenlight contested two consecutive feature races – the Grade 3 Graham Beck Stakes over 1400m and the Grade 2 Dingaan over 1600m.
Unfortunately, he drew wide in both and that proved costly but, in both races ran on well to run into second place. At the time they seemed a little disappointing but in retrospect, they were very decent runs.
The first was behind Anfields Rocket who went on to win the Grade 1 World Sports Betting SA Classic over 1800m and the second time it was behind stable companion Union Square.
De Kock then opted to send him to Cape Town to contest the Grade 1 Cape Guineas where he was to take on star colt Charles Dickens. Sadly, the trip to the coast proved a disaster as Shoemaker was not the same.
In addition, his poor luck with draws continued when he returned to Johannesburg as he landed No 13 of 16 in the Gauteng Guineas and No 12 of 16 in the SA Classic. He ran poorly in both and was reported to be not striding out in the Guineas and coughing after the running of the Classic.
The time had come to take serious action and Shoemaker was gelded the day after the running of the SA Classic.
He made his return to the track last Sunday in a Pinnacle Stakes over 1160m on the Standside track at Turffontein. While the distance was too short It was a promising performance from Shoemaker as he showed good pace and ended up in fourth place, just 2.75 lengths behind Godswood.
On Sunday he will line up again in Race 6, a Graduation Plate over 1600m on the Turffontein Inside track. He is exceptionally well weighted as he is at least 10.5kg better off with any of the other runners.
If he has made the necessary improvement, he will be extremely hard to beat, but if he only flatters to deceive, it would be wise to include improving Brave Viking in all bets.
This Joe Soma-trained runner had a slow start to his career but he has come on extremely well given time to mature and has reeled off two very impressive victories.
His last run was over 1500m at this course and he comfortably beat useful Tipsy Tarragon by 1.50 lengths, going away in the closing stages.
S’manga Khumalo rode him to victory last time and he is back aboard for this run.
Race 7, the Listed Syringa Handicap for fillies and mares, tops the card and it is an extremely open event.
Three of these runners contested the Grade 2 Gerald Rosenberg Stakes over 2000m and all of them ran poorly. However, the race was run in driving rain on a soggy track. The meeting was called off after that race so the form of the Gerald Rosenberg looks highly suspect.
Emirate Gina was strongly fancied to win that race but she hated the conditions and her performance is best ignored. As a result, one should give Roy Magner’s charge another chance.
Raymond Danielson takes the ride.
Terra Time is another who failed in the Gerald Rosenberg and after a slow start did not get into the race. She is also a lot better than that performance and a better showing is expected.
One probably needs to load this race for the exotics and others to be considered include Emerald Princess, Supreme Quest and Tipsy Tarragon.
Jack Milner’s selections
Race 1: 3 Tsitsikamma Pearl, 2 Chilli Marmalade, 8 Rose Greenhow, 1 Count Your Chances
Race 2: 1 Free Movement, 4 Scallywag, 3 Mayor Of Merrivale, 8 American Grayson
Race 3: 8 Fostinovo, 9 Silver Tudor, 6 Tsar Bomba, 5 Dancetildaylight
Race 4: 10 Midnight Crystal, 3 Paton's Tears, 1 Ipso Facto, 9 Trump My Queen
Race 5: 1 Radu, 9 Gilda Gray, 12 Winning Queen, 7 Writteninthesand
Race 6: 1 Shoemaker, 2 Brave Viking, 3 Johnny Dogs, 4 American Biscuit
Race 7: 2 Emirate Gina, 5 Emerald Princess, 4 Terra Time, 7 Supreme Quest
Race 8: 2 Millahue, 4 Ryan's Dream, 3 Princess Ilaria, 5 Call Me Master
BEST BET
Race 6 No 1 Shoemaker
VALUE BET
Race 7 No 2 Emirate Gina
BEST SWINGER
Race 6 1x2
BIPOT
R108
Leg 1: 2, 3, 8
Leg 2: 1
Leg 3: 5, 6, 8, 9
Leg 4: 1, 3, 10
Leg 5: 1, 9, 12
Leg 6: 1
PLACE ACCUMULATOR
R216
Leg 1: 1
Leg 2: 6, 8, 9
Leg 3: 1, 3, 10
Leg 4: 1, 9
Leg 5: 1
Leg 6: 2, 3, 4
Leg 7:
PICK 6
R1800
Leg 1: 4, 5, 6, 8, 9
Leg 2: 1, 3, 4, 9, 10
Leg 3: 1, 9, 12
Leg 4: 1
Leg 5: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
Leg 6: 2, 3, 4, 5
JACKPOT 1
R90
Leg 1: 1, 3, 4, 9, 10
Leg 2: 1, 9, 12
Leg 3: 1
Leg 4: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
JACKPOT 2
R72
Leg 1: 1, 9, 12
Leg 2: 1
Leg 3: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
Leg 4: 2, 3, 4, 5