Snaith gelding to rule in Pick 6 opener

Jack Milner

Bettors are faced with a testing nine-race card at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Wednesday but they could find a quantum of solace (pardon the James Bond reference) in Race 4, where Justin Snaith sends out Native Ruler.

This Vercingetorix gelding has only raced three times, the first two over 1250m at Hollywoodbets Durbanville, and after a moderate start in which he finished eighth, 5.50 lengths behind the winner, he followed up with two second places.

The first run can be ignored as he lost ground at the start and raced greenly throughout.

His second out was more promising as he stayed on well to end up 3.75 lengths behind Firingonallengines but even more reassuring was his last race over 1200m at Kenilworth.

On this occasion it came as no surprise that he found Garrix one too good as he looks quite decent and after an excellent first run, went off at 11-20.

But when Native Ruler lines up in this event he will be contesting a Maiden Plate over 1600m which will be more to his liking as his mare, Pine Princess, was a winner of the Grade 2 SA Oaks.

He is drawn well enough in barrier No 7 and has JP van der Merwe in the irons.

Another decent bet on the card looks to be Gareth van Zyl-trained Luhamba Phambili who lines up in Race 8, a Cape B Stakes over 1000m.

The gelding made a winning Cape introduction last month under Corne Orffer over 1000m. This well-bred son of Danon Platina won the Non-Black Type feature from the front after a nimble getaway, displaying natural speed early on and tenacity in the finish as he shook off the challengers under Orffer to win by a length from Roman Agent, with subsequent Listed Sophomore Sprint winner Lion Rampart back in fourth (1.30 lengths).

Luhamba Phambili didn't escape the attention of the handicapper, who gave Van Zyl's charge a sizeable six-point penalty. However, with just four racecourse appearances under his belt and the likelihood of improvement, that 3kg is unlikely to prevent the improving Luhamba Phambili from winning again when he returns to the scene of his Need For Speed victory.

Jack Milner’s selections

Race 1: 4 Elsinore, 8 Fencing Captain, 2 Mrs Shackleton, 6 Flypast

Race 2: 7 Rougarouin, 4 Electric Feels, 2 Xplicit Content, 6 Tambourine Man

Race 3: 3 White Waters, 4 Alex Miller, 8 Tap Shoes, 1 Spinmyangelsspin

Race 4: 7 Native Ruler, 2 Afrique, 11 Gran Canaria, 1 Red Dawn

Race 5: 5 Tothemoonandback, 1 Ozark, 10 Mohandas, 8 State Capitol

Race 6: 9 Hang Out The Stars, 3 Dream Searcher, 5 Veronique, 2 Lana View

Race 7: 1 Swiatek, 5 Miraculous, 9 Family Power, 2 Jou Lekker Ding

Race 8: 3 Luhamba Phambili, 5 All About Al, 9 Tenango, 2 Icy Blast

Race 9: 7 Royal Lytham, 4 Vivo Per Lei, 1 Easy Money, 5 Grue Of Ice

BEST BET

Race 4: 7 Native Ruler

VALUE BET

Race 2: 7 Rougarouin

BEST SWINGER

Race 3 3x4

BIPOT

R144

Leg 1: 4, 7

Leg 2: 3, 4

Leg 3: 7

Leg 4: 1, 5, 10

Leg 5: 2, 3, 5, 9

Leg 6: 1, 5, 9

PLACE ACCUMULATOR

R216

Leg 1: 3, 4

Leg 2: 7

Leg 3: 1, 5

Leg 4: 3, 5, 9

Leg 5: 1, 5, 9

Leg 6: 3, 5

Leg 7: 1, 4, 7

PICK 6

R960

Leg 1: 7

Leg 2: 1, 5, 10

Leg 3: 2, 3, 4, 5, 9

Leg 4: 1, 2, 5, 9

Leg 5: 2, 3, 5, 9

Leg 6: 1, 4, 5, 7

JACKPOT 1

R240

Leg 1: 1, 5, 10

Leg 2: 2, 3, 4, 5, 9

Leg 3: 1, 2, 5, 9

Leg 4: 2, 3, 5, 9

JACKPOT 2

R320

Leg 1: 2, 3, 4, 5, 9

Leg 2: 1, 2, 5, 9

Leg 3: 2, 3, 5, 9

Leg 4: 1, 4, 5, 7