Jack Milner
As a rule, I am not keen to back a horse who always finds something to beat it but that might not be the case at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Wednesday with Teatime Tipple.
After Teatime Tipple should warm things up in KZN recently taking over the KwaZulu-Natal yard of illustrious trainer Dennis Drier, Stuart Ferrie, who was his assistant for many years, sent out a steady stream of winners, but recently that flow has turned into a trickle.
Frustratingly, Ferrie has had eight close-up second place finishes in the last month, but Teatime Tipple could re-ignite his season at the Maritzburg course on Wednesday.
Teatime Tipple has been costly to follow, having finished runner-up in three of his last four starts, following a fair fourth on debut.
However, he can finally get his nose down at the right time when he lines up in Race 3, a Maiden Plate over 1000m.
The difference is that he was gelded prior to his last run and showed marked improvement when going down just 0.30 lengths to Rhythm, producing the fastest final 400m.
The Var three-year-old has run well at this course and is likely to prefer racing up the straight this time rather than going around the turn as was the case at Hollywoodbets Greyville last time.
This does not look the strongest of fields and this time he can finally get it right. Sean Veale takes the ride.
Jack Milner’s selections
Race 1: 1 Fine One, 2 Hot Lava, 6 Ibhele, 8 World Pharoah
Race 2: 6 True Trojan, 4 Billy Of Tea, 5 Bally Magic, 7 Rock Fall
Race 3: 7 Teatime Tipple, 3 Spirit Of Abraham, 9 Specmagic, 6 Railroad
Race 4: 8 Vihaan's Queen, 14 Celtic Beauty, 9 One Smart Cookie, 11 Elegant Act
Race 5: 4 Nightingales Sing, 10 Fairy Tripp, 11 Westockmarketborse, 12 Joan The Wad
Race 6: 7 Cavalieri, 4 Oshakati, 3 Attaboy, 6 Joshua Hotsnake
Race 7: 4 Winter Baron, 13 Renaissance Man, 2 Kupholiwe, 6 Warrior Of Royalty
Race 8: 2 Acacia's Blossom, 4 Ancient Epic, 3 Convocation, 6 Sweet Symphony
BEST BET
Race 3: 7 Teatime Tipple
VALUE BET
Race 6: 7 Cavalieri
BEST SWINGER
Race 4 8x14
BIPOT
R300
Leg 1: 1, 2, 6, 8, 9
Leg 2: 4, 5, 6
Leg 3: 7
Leg 4: 8, 14
Leg 5: 4, 10
Leg 6: 3, 4, 6, 7, 8
PLACE ACCUMULATOR
R216
Leg 1: 4, 6
Leg 2: 7
Leg 3: 8, 14
Leg 4: 4, 10
Leg 5: 3, 4, 7
Leg 6: 2, 4, 13
Leg 7: 2, 3, 4
PICK 6
R840
Leg 1: 7
Leg 2: 8, 14
Leg 3: 4, 10
Leg 4: 3, 4, 6, 7, 8
Leg 5: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 13
Leg 6: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 12
JACKPOT 1
R120
Leg 1: 8, 14
Leg 2: 4, 10
Leg 3: 3, 4, 6, 7, 8
Leg 4: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 13
JACKPOT 2
R420
Leg 1: 4, 10
Leg 2: 3, 4, 6, 7, 8
Leg 3: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 13
Leg 4: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 12