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Stars to shine for Sean

Written by Jack Milner | Nov 17, 2022 8:47:44 PM

Jack Milner

What difference will a week make?

That is the question one needs to answer ahead of the delayed Grade 3 Fillies Mile on the Standside track at Turffontein on Friday.

The answer to the question is “hopefully nothing”.

This meeting was scheduled to take place last Saturday but non-stop rain put paid to that, and with the whole weekend a washout, the decision was made to move the meeting to a day-night meeting.

There have not been any withdrawals from the Fillies Mile so there is no reason to change one’s selections.

Trainer Sean Tarry looks to hold a strong hand with three runners, all of whom appear to have winning chances if at their best.

Looking back at their two-year-old careers all three ran in the Grade 1 Thekwini Stakes at Hollywoodbets Greyville and it was Rock The Fox who produced a flying finish from a wide draw to just fail by a short head to beat Canadian Summer.

Just a long head behind her in third place came Bless My Stars while River Queraress, who did not have the best of luck and had to ease 200m from home, ended up 6.70 lengths behind the winners.

The last two mentioned fillies were with trainer Paul Peter at the time but when he stopped training, both moved to Tarry.

Based on jockey arrangements, Rock The Fox looks to be the stable’s first choice as Calvin Habib, who is the first-choice jockey for the yard, takes the ride. However, he has been aboard the daughter of Canford Cliffs for six of her eight races and clearly has built up a rapport with the filly.

But Habib also rode Bless My Stars when she ran fifth in her first run for Tarry which was against the colts, and then ran out a facile winner in her second outing when beating Mike’s Chick by 2.80 lengths.

Diego de Gouveia takes the ride on Bless My Stars and based on the way she has come on, she gets a slight nod ahead of Rock The Fox.

Rock The Fox has also raced twice this season, firstly putting up a promising effort when a 2.60-length fifth to Captain Peg over1450m but then did not show her best form in the Grade 3 HSH Princess Charlene Starling Stakes over 1400m on this course at Turffontein.

She took a walk in the betting to start at 16-1 and ran accordingly, ending up a 5.75-length eighth to Miss Daisy. However, she suffered a minor injury so there was a valid excuse. Rock The Fox is better than that performance and if back to best has to be a lively contender.

But if you like Rock The Fox you have to consider None Other, trained by Lucky Houdalakis, as she beat Tarry’s charge in both of those last two races and, in the case of the run behind Captain Peg, is 3kg better off.

S’manga Khumalo rode her last time when fifth behind Miss Daisy and he has picked up the ride again.

Mike de Kock has a very interesting runner in Bonete. This beautifully bred filly has only raced once, running out a facile winner by 4.75 lengths over 1450m. She does take a huge jump in class but De Kock loves to throw them in at the deep-end to see how they will swim – and this filly could well rise to the occasion.

Other to consider are Emirate Gina and Berengaria.

 

Jack Milner’s selections

Race 1: 2 Mighty Goddess, 10 Powers That Be, 3 Spendid Season, 4 Princess Ilaria

Race 2: 11 Munchkin, 4 Stroke Of Mercy, 15 We've Got Tonight, 3 Walker Bay

Race 3: 8 Mini Coop, 11 Twice The Storm, 6 Jimmy Don, 4 Frontline Fighter

Race 4: 3 Integrate, 12 In The Ether, 13 Power Ranger, 1 Esquevelle

Race 5: 4 Diesel And Dust, 12 Flying First Class, 3 Flashy Apache, 5 Whispers Of War

Race 6: 1 Reny, 4 Barmaid, 7 Gilda Gray, 2 Mamaquera

Race 7: 2 Bless My Stars, 3 Rock The Fox, 5 None Other, 9 Bonete

Race 8: 1 Crimson Princess, 5 Magical Flight, 4 Bureau Des Legende, 2 Definitely Maybe

Race 9: 8 Gallic Tribe, 1 Forever Mine, 3 Reunion, 9 Savannah Storm

Race 10: 2 Expeditioner, 8 Houston, 11 Mcebisi, 9 Kentallen Bay

 

BEST BET

Race 2 No 11 Munchkin

VALUE BET

Race 5 No 4 Diesel And Dust

BEST SWINGER

Race 1 1x2

 

BIPOT

R108

Leg 1: 11

Leg 2: 6, 8, 11

Leg 3: 1, 3, 12, 13

Leg 4: 3, 4, 12

Leg 5: 1

Leg 6: 2, 3, 5

 

PLACE ACCUMULATOR

R216

Leg 1: 8, 11

Leg 2: 3, 12, 13

Leg 3: 3, 4, 12

Leg 4: 1

Leg 5: 2, 3, 5

Leg 6: 1, 5

Leg 7: 5, 8

 

PICK 6

R1750

Leg 1: 1, 2, 3, 12, 13

Leg 2: 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 12

Leg 3: 1

Leg 4: 2, 3, 5, 8, 9

Leg 5: 1, 5

Leg 6: 1, 2, 3, 8, 9

 

JACKPOT 1

R70

Leg 1: 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 12

Leg 2: 1

Leg 3: 2, 3, 5, 8, 9

Leg 4: 1, 5

 

JACKPOT 2

R300

Leg 1: 2, 3, 5, 8, 9

Leg 2: 1, 5

Leg 3: 1, 2, 3, 8, 9

Leg 4: 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 11