The Specialist to bounce back at Turffontein

Jack Milner

The Grade 2 Dingaans over 1600m for three-year-olds will be run on Saturday 30 November and right now a number of runners are trying their best to book a place in one of South Africa’s most prestigious and historical races on the calendar.

This race is a forerunner to the Grade 2 Gauteng Guineas early next year and many prospective entrants will be lining up in Race 3, a Graduation Plate over 1200m on the Inside track at Turffontein on Tuesday.

Based on merit ratings, The Specialist is the best weighted runner by at least 3kg and on paper should be a runaway winner of this event. After all, as a two-year-old the son of The United States ran third in the Grade Golden Horseshoe over 1400m drawn No 13 of the 14 runners and then finished runner-up to filly VJ’s Angel in the Grade 1 Premiers Champion Stakes over 1600m at the same course, giving her 3kg.

At that stage The Specialist was being trained in KwaZulu-Natal but was transferred up to Sean Tarry’s Randjesfontein yard at the start of the news season.

The change in track could be right up his street as he made his three-year-old debut in a Graduation Plate over 1200m on the Inside track at Turffontein in September and while he received loads of betting support, he found one better in decent sprinter Mount Pinatubo.

On Saturday 2 November he again started favourite to win the Grade 3 Graham Beck Stakes over 1400m on the Standside track at Turffontein but after showing early pace, he faded out to finish 10 lengths behind Moonlight Trader.

He was examined by the course vet after the race and nothing significant was found. Hopefully it was just a case of him suffering from the second-run-after-a layoff syndrome but Tarry has opted to give him another run just 10 days later and this time he has called on veteran Piere Strydom to take the ride.

Strydom is in great form and came away with four winners on Monday from the delayed Turffontein meeting

If what ever may have troubled him has been sorted out, The Specialist will be the runner to beat.

Count Invicto looked to be one of the main dangers, but he has been scratched and that leave Tony Peter-trained Gorgeous Klein as the main threat.

Since joining Peter’s yard Gorgeous Klein has run five times for two wins, two seconds and a fifth place.

He is in top form and could pick up the pieces should The Specialist fail to find his best form.

Gavin Lerena retains the ride.

Jack Milner’s selections

Race 1: 11 Shesarocket, 7 Endizayo, 9 Flying Solo, 4 Jilted

Race 2: 7 Just Var, 6 Smashing, 1 Neerah, 3 Circus Lights

Race 3: 3 The Specialist, 4 Gorgeous Klein, 2 Mount Pilatus, 6 Daring Dash

Race 4: 4 Kadizora, 2 I Am Regal, 3 Rosy Lemon, 9 Sneak Preview

Race 5: 8 Damova, 9 Have A Party, 1 Fetching Flyer, 2 Red Knot

Race 6: 7 Max The Magician, 11 Bob's Your Uncle, Silent War, 8 The Africa House

Race 7: 11 Smith And Wesson, 7 Simply Majestic, 2 Swing Upon A Star, 5 Chocolate Soldier 

Race 8: 1 Cars Big As Bars, 5 Dancing Dora, 9 Tibetan Voyage, 7 Southern Style

BEST BET

Race 8 No 1 Cars Big As Bars

VALUE BET

Race 7 No 11 Smith And Wesson

BEST SWINGER

Race 3 3x4

BIPOT

R216

Leg 1: 7, 11

Leg 2: 1, 3, 6, 7

Leg 3: 3

Leg 4: 2, 3, 4

Leg 5: 1, 8, 9

Leg 6: 2, 7, 11

PLACE ACCUMULATOR

R243

Leg 1: 1, 6, 7

Leg 2: 3

Leg 3: 2, 3, 4

Leg 4: 1, 8, 9

Leg 5: 2, 7, 11

Leg 6: 2, 7, 11

Leg 7: 1

PICK 6

R1344

Leg 1: 3, 4

Leg 2: 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 9

JACKPOT 1

R672

Leg 1: 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 9

Leg 2: 1, 2, 8, 9

Leg 3: 2, 7, 8, 11

Leg 4: 1, 2, 5, 7, 8, 9, 11

JACKPOT 2

R112

Leg 1: 1, 2, 8, 9

Leg 2: 2, 7, 8, 11

Leg 3: 1, 2, 5, 7, 8, 9, 11

Leg 4: 1