Trainer Sean Tarry could come through with an early double at the Vaal on Thursday when they race on the Classic track and could then make it a treble in the final race.
The double could begin in Race 1, a Maiden Juvenile Plate over 1200m, where beautifully bred Grande Hawaii should get Tarry and jockey Keagan de Melo off to a winning start. This daughter of Hawwaam shaped with plenty of promise when third of 10 on debut over 1160m, travelling kindly before just lacking the final punch.
That experience edge is gold dust against unraced opposition. Natural improvement is expected and, from a yard that knows how to ready a juvenile second-up, she sets the standard in the opener.
By Race 3, a MR 99 Handicap for three-year-olds over 1200m, Tarry could already be onto a double. Speedman has done little wrong in four starts, tasting defeat just once, and the son of Vercingetorix looks a three-year-old going places. His latest win over 1450m on Turffontein’s Inside track was achieved with enough tactical pace to suggest the drop back to a sharp 1200m won’t inconvenience him – it might even sharpen him.
Ryan Munger, who clicked immediately with him last time, keeps the ride. That continuity counts, and so does the profile: progressive, adaptable, and still ahead of the handicapper.
Tarry could also have the final say in Race 10 over 1450m. Trail Runner, a daughter of Lancaster Bomber, has blossomed since the blinkers went on: two wins and a second from three starts with the headgear is compelling evidence. She scored with authority over this trip on handicap debut at Turffontein’s Inside track three weeks ago and, although hit with a four-point penalty, her upward trajectory suggests she can defy top weight, even against male opposition.
Munger, already potentially on the board with Speedman, could well be anchoring the exotics with her late in the day.
Jack Milner’s selections
Race 1: 2 Grande Hawaii, 6 Proud Mary, 1 Drachenfutter, 8 Sitva Queen
Race 2: 6 The Bronx Bull, 1 Gone Cold, 4 Shining Sun, 3 Sheriff Bill Brown
Race 3: 4 Speedman, 2 Titan Of The Turf, 5 Stoneywood, 6 Blushing Bloom
Race 4: 9 Top Floor, 3 Pompeii Shield, 1 Willow Charm, 4 Rock My Boat
Race 5: 1 Future Gamble, 11 Miraculous Moment, 6 Twelfth Of Never, 4 Without Remorse
Race 6: 10 Dark Silver, 1 Bob's Your Uncle, 3 Tommy Shelby, 5 Birthright
Race 7: 3 Duchess Of Paloma, 7 Azaleas For All, 5 Art Nouveau, 6 Cocomelon
Race 8: 7 World Order, 1 Gimmeachoice, 10 Naretoi, 6 Redlightgreenlight
Race 9: 1 Pivotal Role, 2 Blindfire, 4 Tiger Storm, 6 Palace Revolt
Race 10: 1 Trail Runner, 2 Brave Viking, 8 Ready Set Fire, 7 Michael Faraday
BEST BET
Race 4: 9 Top Floor
VALUE BET
Race 6: 10 Dark Silver
BEST SWINGER
Race 3 2x4
BIPOT
R162
Leg 1: 1, 4, 6
Leg 2: 2, 4
Leg 3: 9
Leg 4: 1, 6, 11
Leg 5: 1, 3, 10
Leg 6: 3, 5, 7
PLACE ACCUMULATOR
R108
Leg 1: 4
Leg 2: 9
Leg 3: 1, 6, 11
Leg 4: 1, 3, 10
Leg 5: 3, 7
Leg 6: 1, 7, 10
Leg 7: 1, 2
PICK 6
R960
Leg 1: 9
Leg 2: 1, 3, 4, 6, 11
Leg 3: 1, 3, 5, 10
Leg 4: 3, 5, 6, 7
Leg 5: 1, 6, 7, 10
Leg 6: 1, 2, 4
JACKPOT 1
R320
Leg 1: 1, 3, 4, 6, 11
Leg 2: 1, 3, 5, 10
Leg 3: 3, 5, 6, 7
Leg 4: 1, 6, 7, 10
JACKPOT 2
R240
Leg 1: 3, 5, 6, 7
Leg 2: 1, 6, 7, 10
Leg 3: 1, 2, 4
Leg 4: 1, 2, 3, 7, 8