Jack Milner
There are times when the stars align and everything is set to go as planned.
That looks to be the case with Dave The King when he lines up in Saturday's Grade 1 Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge over 1600m.
Regarded as one of the three leading 1600m races in the country, the five-year-old son of Global view looks primed to defend the title he won last year. Trainers Mike and Mathew de Kock have embarked on the same preparation plan that saw this gelding not only win this race, but the Grade 1 Champions Cup over 1800m at the end of the season. It was this remarkable feat that saw Dave The King being named Horse Of The Year at last season’s Equus awards and he has started in KwaZulu-Natal this year where he left off at the end of July.
Whether it is the altitude, the weather or the pollen count, it is quite clear by now that Dave The King does not enjoy racing on the Highveld but he come alive as he passes through Van Reenen’s Pass on his way to KwaZulu-Natal.
He demonstrated his wellbeing with a fluent victory over 1500m at Hollywoodbets Scottsville where he beat Royal Victory by three lengths. The runner-up is no slouch and he never got a blow-in as Dave The King sauntered to victory under Callan Murray.
He is a strong front runner and his connections must have been over the moon to see him draw barrier No 2 in this year’s Gold Challenge. He has good gate speed and Murray will have no issues getting him to the front.
If it all does go smoothly, then it could leave his rivals with quite a conundrum. If he leads them into the straight and then gives his usual kick, he will be very hard to catch.
The two likely leading rivals are See It Again and Cosmic Speed.
Sean Tarry-trained three-year-old Cosmic Speed could be a threat from gate No 5. He is the winner of the Grade 1 HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes and ran a cracker in the Grade 2 WSB Guineas. With the Cape Crawl coming to KZN, Cosmic Speed was forced to make his own pace which is not where he likes to race.
He was caught late buy the Justin Snaith pair of Sail The Seas and Eight On Eighteen but was beaten just 0.75 lengths. He will improve with that run and Gavin Leren should be able to get him settled.
See It Again had not produced his best form for quite a while but there was a lot to like about the manner in which he performed in the Grade 2 Drill Hall Stakes over 1400m last time. If he can sustain that form he will provide a big threat to Dave The King. Raymond Danielson rode him last time and he will be back in the irons once again on this Michael Roberts trained gelding.
The De Kock team should also be on the mark with two-year-old Whispering Death in the Listed Gatecrasher Stakes over 1400m. This colt really looks to be something special based on all the form lines of the races in which he has participated. After finishing second behind Tenjiku, also in this race, on debut, the Danon Platina colt has gone on to win twice, with winners sprouting in all directions from those three runs.
Lerena takes the ride and this colt is one to follow.
Take note that Races 7 to 10 will be Hong Kong World Pool events so there are plenty of money-making options betting with TAB.
Jack Milner's selections
Race 1: 3 Blizzard Quest, 2 Matcha Mint, 1 Blackjack Randall, 7 Bourne Supremacy
Race 2: 7 Rich Folks Hoax, 5 Plus Four, 1 Tyrconnell, 3 Master Christmas
Race 3: 7 Chill In The Air, 8 Nocturnal Flight, 6 Bombers In The Sky, 2 Vila Vicosa
Race 4: 8 Who Blinked, 9 Isikwishikwishi, 7 African Prince, 1 Vibe SA
Race 5: 1 Educator, 5 Captains Envy, 4 Littlemisssplendid, 3 Quickstepgal
Race 6: 1 Tenjiku, 6 Malmesbury Missile, 2 Yippee Kiyay
Race 7: 2 Dave The King, 5 Cosmic Speed, 3 See It Again, 7 Great Plains
Race 8: 9 Be Merry, 8 Callmegetrix, 1 Lucrative, 5 Green Sapphire
Race 9: 9 Underworld, 10 Wild Intent, 4 Regulation, 13 Hotarubi
Race 10: 4 Tara Star, 7 Ayuwi Yuwi, 3 Dafnes Daughter, 1 Siesta Sunset
BEST BET
Race 6: 1 Tenjiku
VALUE BET
Race 4: 8 Who Blinked
BEST SWINGER
Race 7 2x5
BIPOT
R288
Leg 1: 1, 3, 5, 7
Leg 2: 6, 7, 8
Leg 3: 1, 7, 8, 9
Leg 4: 1, 4, 5
Leg 5: 1
Leg 6: 2, 5
PLACE ACCUMULATOR
R162
Leg 1: 7, 8
Leg 2: 7, 8, 9
Leg 3: 1, 4, 5
Leg 4: 1
Leg 5: 2
Leg 6: 1, 8, 9
Leg 7: 4, 9, 10
PICK 6
R2160
Leg 1: 1, 7, 8, 9
Leg 2: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Leg 3: 1
Leg 4: 2, 3, 5
Leg 5: 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 9
Leg 6: 1, 4, 5, 9, 10, 13
JACKPOT 1
R90
Leg 1: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Leg 2: 1
Leg 3: 2, 3, 5
Leg 4: 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 9
JACKPOT 2
R432
Leg 1: 2, 3, 5
Leg 2: 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 9
Leg 3: 1, 4, 5, 9, 10, 13
Leg 4: 1, 3, 4, 7