Jack Milner
When you look at the horses who beat Stratospheric in Cape Town, he had to be hard to beat in his first run on the Highveld.
He ran fourth behind Charles Dickens on debut, then finished with in touching distance of Seeking The One, Champion Warrior and Ensuing, all of whom went on to win more races. In fact, in his nine races in the Cape, 13 horses who ran against him, came out to win their next starts.
As a result, it came as no surprise to see him hack in by 9.25 lengths in his first run for Tony Peter in Joburg.
That victory was over 1400m on the Turffontein Standside track and he returns to action at the Vaal on Thursday where he lines up in Race 6, a Graduation Plate over 1600m on the Classic track.
He led all the way in that last run and although that was in a Maiden Plate, the manner of that victory gave the impression there is lot more to come from this three-year-old What A Winter gelding.
His dam, Stratos, was trained by Mike Azzie and was undoubtedly one of his favourite mares. She won seven races, including the Grade 1 Empress Club Stakes, the Grade 2 Ipi Tombe Stakes and the Grade 3 Yellowwood Handicap.
What could be an extra indicator for punters is that Hazlo Grande, the son of Erupt who was beaten into second by Stratospheric, is carded to run in Race 5 and it will be worth noting how Paul Matchett’s charge runs in his second start.
Race 3 is the opening leg of the Pick 6 and bettors could have a free ride. The Pick 6 rules state that if an unraced horse wins and leg, that runner will count for the Pick 6 as well as the first raced runners.
There were only two race horses originally carded but as one has been scratched, only No 11 has raced so one can banker Rose Tinted and be guaranteed to survive the opening leg.
Jack Milner’s selections
Race 1: 2 Impression, 4 On The Guest List, 1 Maith An Cailin, 3 Queen Britanna
Race 2: 2 Earl, 4 Great Affair, 1 Captain Chorus, 5 Afraad
Race 3: 9 Real Relief, 4 Galladorn, 11 Rose Tinted
Race 4: 2 Callmewhenuneedme, 12 Wugug, 8 Mary's Greenlight
Race 5: 8 Hazlo Grande, 1 Puerto Plata, 2 Ngokushesha, 11 Pink Diamond
Race 6: 4 Stratospheric, 1 Destiny Of Souls, 2 Crimson King
Race 7: 3 Black Egret, 5 Tizona, 6 Vitellius, 12 Mcebisi
Race 8: 7 Tre Amici, 3 Laetitia's Angel, 11 Samoa, 4 Var Park
BEST BET
Race 6 No 4 Stratospheric
VALUE BET
Race 2 No 2 Earl
BEST SWINGER
Race 1 2x4
BIPOT
R360
Leg 1: 2, 4
Leg 2: 1, 2, 4
Leg 3: 4, 7, 8, 9, 11
Leg 4: 2, 11, 12
Leg 5: 1, 2, 8, 11
Leg 6: 4
PLACE ACCUMULATOR
R324
Leg 1: 1, 2, 4
Leg 2: 4, 9
Leg 3: 2, 11, 12
Leg 4: 1, 2, 8
Leg 5: 4
Leg 6: 3, 5
Leg 7: 3, 7, 11
PICK 6
R768
Leg 1: 11
Leg 2: 2, 8, 11, 12
Leg 3: 1, 2, 8, 11
Leg 4: 4
Leg 5: 3, 4, 5, 6, 12, 13
Leg 6: 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 10, 11, 12
JACKPOT 1
R96
Leg 1: 2, 8, 11, 12
Leg 2: 1, 2, 8, 11
Leg 3: 4
Leg 4: 3, 4, 5, 6, 12, 13
JACKPOT 2
R192
Leg 1: 1, 2, 8, 11
Leg 2: 4
Leg 3: 3, 4, 5, 6, 12, 13
Leg 4: 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 10, 11, 12