Jack Milner
Texas Red showed a lot of pace when running over 1200m last time only to be caught late and ending up a 2.25-length third behind Tanganga.
It is interesting to note that when he lines up in Race 7 at the Vaal Classic track on Tuesday, a MR 82 Handicap, it will be his first race over 1000m.
Perhaps it was his pace last time that made Ashley Fortune decide to try him over shorter, but he has some decent form with two wins and four places from his seven runs.
His lone unplaced run came two runs back when the three-year-old gelding was first fitted with blinkers. He may not have been comfortable first time with them on but Fortune persevered and he showed the kind of pace his trainer had clearly been looking for.
If he can reproduce that sort of run on Tuesday, Texas Red looks the runner to beat.
He does take a slight drop in class and that will also aid his chances. Ryan Munger knows him well, having ridden him to both his victories, and he will be back in the irons for this event.
The other runner to include is Clinton Binda-trained Umthombo Wolwazi. The three-year-old gelding has won twice and finished stone last twice in his last five outings. Judging by this record, it’s obvious that when he gets it right, he gets it very right. But when things go wrong, they go very wrong.
Obviously an inconsistent sort, he does create the impression that his knowledge of racing is still developing.
Based on his last run, which was a win over 1000m, the distance will not be an issue for the son of Elusive Fort. Marco van Rensburg takes the ride.
Jack Milner’s selections
Race 1: 4 Back To The Future, 5 Green Bubbles, 6 Memorial Day, 3 Batik
Race 2: 4 Quixote, 10 Celtic Rumours, 2 Grand Escape, 1 Gimme Royalty
Race 3: 3 Battleground, 4 Prime Example, 8 American Star, 9 Fast Duty
Race 4: 5 Broadlands, 10 Turnthebeataround, 1 Pomozelous, 3 Ponderosa Pine
Race 5: 2 Poets Warrior, 3 Banha Bridge, 10 Go Flichity, 7 Flag Bearer
Race 6: 2 Sage King, 6 Tirpitz, 8 Destiny Of Souls, 10 After Hours
Race 7: 4 Texas Red, 5 Umthombo Wolwazi, 7 Stormy Seas
Race 8: 8 Beaded Gown, 5 Wings Of Nike, 10 In The Ether, 6 Trust The Fire
BEST BET
Race 3 No 3 Battleground
VALUE BET
Race 5 No2 Poets Warrior
BEST SWINGER
Race 2 4x10
BIPOT
R192
Leg 1: 4, 5
Leg 2: 4, 10
Leg 3: 3
Leg 4: 1, 5, 10
Leg 5: 2, 3, 7, 10
Leg 6: 2, 6, 8, 10
PLACE ACCUMULATOR
R162
Leg 1: 4
Leg 2: 3
Leg 3: 5, 10
Leg 4: 2, 3, 10
Leg 5: 2, 6, 8
Leg 6: 4, 5, 7
Leg 7: 5, 9, 10
PICK 6
R1125
Leg 1: 3
Leg 2: 1, 5, 10
Leg 3: 2, 3, 6, 7, 10
Leg 4: 2, 3, 6, 8, 10
Leg 5: 4, 5, 7
Leg 6: 5, 6, 9, 10, 13
JACKPOT 1
R225
Leg 1: 1, 5, 10
Leg 2: 2, 3, 6, 7, 10
Leg 3: 2, 3, 6, 8, 10
Leg 4: 4, 5, 7
JACKPOT 2
R375
Leg 1: 2, 3, 6, 7, 10
Leg 2: 2, 3, 6, 8, 10
Leg 3: 4, 5, 7
Leg 4: 5, 6, 9, 10, 13