PATON'S TEARS
Jack Milner: Blinkers appear to have done the trick for Paton’s Tears and the Coup De Grace filly looks set to score again when she lines up in Race 7, a MR 91 Handicap for fillies and mares on the Vaal Classic track on Thursday.
The Lucky Houdalakis-trained three-year-old has only raced seven times for two wins a second and a fourth place, and it is apparent she does not lack ability. After finishing a two-length second on debut, she went on to win her maiden comfortably, beating Aryaam by 3.50 lengths.
That victory came in spite of losing ground at the start and hanging.
Her next task was in the Grade 3 Fillies Mile at Turffontein last November where she finished fifth, beaten 6.50 length by Gee For Go.
Her habit of conceding ground at the start continues to plague her, but her propensity for hanging appears to have abated with the addition of blinkers. In her last start she kept a straight course and was never under pressure as she went on to beat Rock You by 4.25 lengths.
She did get a 4kg penalty but that should not stop her from notching up a third career victory.
This filly runs really well for Gavin Lerena. He rode her in her first three starts and then renewed his relationship last time. In what is good news for her supporters, Lerena is back in the irons on Thursday.
Paton’s Tears made her debut on this track when running second so that should not be a problem, although she jumps from No 8 draw which is not ideal.
Senescence was well supported to win her last start but could only manage to finish third, beaten 1.30 lengths by Kool Baikal.
However, it is not the first time she has not shown her best form on the Turffontein Inside track and a return to the Vaal Classic course could just be what she needs.
Three runs back she raced over 1800m at this track and came away a 5.50-length winner over Sophia’s First. Of course, that was her maiden win and she now meets stronger, but the daughter of Elusive Fort is still improving and with Lyle Hewitson up, looks the runner they will all have to beat in Race 8, a MR 71 Handicap for fillies and mares over 2000m
The main danger looks to be Mirren from the Dave Nieuwenhuizen yard, and one might just need just the two of them in one’s Exotics.
Jack Milner’s selections
Race 1: 2 Trying Times, 4 Prince Alf, 1 Castle Corner, 6 Grace From Above
Race 2: 5 Lagertha, 10 Greenhill, 4 See You Tyger, 2 After Hours
Race 3: 4 Sheer Talent, 1 Anne Boleyn, 7 Little Rain, 3 Greens
Race 4: 10 Lucy In The Sky, 2 Glowtoria, 1 Chloris, 8 Afternoon Tea
Race 5: 7 Galaxy Raiders, 6 Un Deux Trois, 1 Ideal Angel, 3 Maple Sugar
Race 6: 6 Shuckra, 5 Roger The Dodger, 1 Atomic Blonde, 2 Funky Music
Race 7: 5 Paton’s Tears, 1 Castellano, 3 Irish Wonder Girl, 9 Sultanah
Race 8: 2 Oyster King, 4 Evening Rise, 3 Dark Vision, 1 Dawn Of A New Era
Race 9: 3 Senescence, 1 Mirren, 8 Sophia’s First, 13 Mazari
BEST BET
Race 7 No 5 Paton’s Tears
VALUE BET
Race 3 No 4 Sheer Talent
BEST SWINGER
Race 1 2×4
BIPOT
R324
Leg 1: 4, 5, 10
Leg 2: 1, 3, 4, 7
Leg 3: 1, 2, 10
Leg 4: 1, 6, 7
Leg 5: 1, 5, 6
Leg 6: 5
PLACE ACCUMULATOR
R324
Leg 1: 1, 4, 7
Leg 2: 2, 10
Leg 3: 1, 6, 7
Leg 4: 1, 5, 6
Leg 5: 5
Leg 6: 2, 3, 4
Leg 7: 1, 3
PICK 6
R1800
Leg 1: 1, 2, 7, 8, 10, 12
Leg 2: 1, 2, 3, 6, 7
Leg 3: 1, 2, 3, 5, 6
Leg 4: 5
Leg 5: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 9
Leg 6: 1, 3
JACKPOT 1
R150
Leg 1: 1, 2, 3, 6, 7
Leg 2: 1, 2, 3, 5, 6
Leg 3: 5
Leg 4: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 9
JACKPOT 2
R60
Leg 1: 1, 2, 3, 5, 6
Leg 2: 5
Leg 3: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 9
Leg 4: 1, 3