Tarry duo stand out at Turffontein

Jack Milner

Two Sean Tarry-trained runner who won on debut, look set to notch up quick doubles at Turffontein on Sunday when they race on the Inside track.

Both Speedman and Grand Empire won with authority on their first starts and were both ridden by Craig Zackey.

Speedman, a son of Vercingetorix out of Trippi mare Speedy Suzy may not have been in a strong field when getting up close home to get the better of Seed Seeker by 0.25 lengths, but it was the manner in which he accelerated to win the race that grabbed the attention.

Racing over 1160m at Turffontein in yielding going, he had more than four lengths to make up at the 400m mark but managed to quicken in fine style and completed the final 400m in a more than respectable time of 22.9 seconds.

The three-year-old gelding will line up in Race 7 on Sunday is a MR 72 Handicap over 1450m and gave the impression last time that the extra distance would not trouble him at all. Of course, he will be running around the turn for the first time but he is perfectly drawn in gate No 2 and with Zackey’s expertise at hand he should be able to manage any obstacles.

Even more impressive was Grand Empire, who gave indications that he has an extremely bright future after scoring a two-length victory on debut, also over 1160m at Turffontein in yielding going.

He too is a three-year-old Vercingetorix gelding and opened in the betting at 14-1. Even at the off there was 8-1 available but he won like an odds-on shot.

He will line up in Race 9, a MR 80 Handicap over 1450m, and he looks ideally placed as he will be meeting a field he should be quite capable of mastering if he takes the natural second step forward.

Calvin Habib can open the meeting when he gets aboard Rochabilly in Race 1, a Maiden Plate over 1000m. Fabian Habib’s inmate, a promising Canford Cliffs colt who finished a promising second on debut, shaped as one who would tighten up significantly for the run, so the stable is unlikely to miss.

A small step forward, or even a repeat of that debut effort, should be enough.

Race 2, also over 1000m, presents another strong opportunity for Habib with Master’s Lady, whose last-start flop can be forgiven entirely. She was well supported in the market that day but had no chance after Muzi Yeni’s saddle slipped early.

Prior to that, her consistency made her one of the more reliable sprinting fillies in similar company. Roy Magner’s Master Of My Fate filly is the value to turn the tables on Varachino’s Champ and with Habib taking over, she looks poised to make amends.

Jack Milner’s selections

Race 1: 5 Rockabilly, 1 Old Fashioned, 9 Silver Glitter, 7 Hawksdale

Race 2: 2 Master's Lady, 6 Duchess Di, 4 Winter Belle, 8 Varachino's Champ

Race 3: 7 Military Moves, 10 Silent Future, 8 Asiah's Tiara, 3 Trip To Peace

Race 4: 1 Constellation, 2 Top Division, 3 Xenophon, 6 Banyan

Race 5: 9 Rafa Bay, 5 Lead The Charge, 2 Rondebosch, 1 Espinoza

Race 6: 5 Father Christmas, 4 Frere Jacques, 2 Unsolved Riddle, 3 Coppola

Race 7: 4 Speedman, 1 Monkey Puzzle, 2 Guerilla Warfare, 3 Bay Empire

Race 8: 1 Max The Magician, 6 Fully Loaded, 7 War Of Kingdoms, 8 Zanthar

Race 9: 5 Grand Empire, 4 Chieftain's Shield, 1 Longsword, 3 Romilly

BEST BET

Race 9: 5 Grand Empire

VALUE BET

Race 2: 2 Master's Lady

BEST SWINGER

Race 6 4x5

BIPOT                          

R162

Leg 1: 2, 4, 6

Leg 2: 7, 8, 10

Leg 3: 1, 2, 3

Leg 4: 2, 5, 9

Leg 5: 5

Leg 6: 1, 4

PLACE ACCUMULATOR

R108

Leg 1: 7, 10

Leg 2: 1, 2, 3

Leg 3: 2, 5, 9

Leg 4: 5

Leg 5: 1, 4

Leg 6: 1, 6, 7

Leg 7: 5

PICK 6

R288

Leg 1: 1, 2, 3, 6

Leg 2: 1, 2, 4, 5, 8, 9

Leg 3: 5

Leg 4: 1, 4

Leg 5: 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8

Leg 6: 5

JACKPOT 1

R72

Leg 2: 1, 2, 4, 5, 8, 9

Leg 3: 5

Leg 4: 1, 4

Leg 5: 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8

JACKPOT 2

R12

Leg 3: 5

Leg 4: 1, 4

Leg 5: 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8

Leg 6: 5