Jack Milner
Two talented sprinters will go head-to-head in Race 4 at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Monday when they race on the Polytrack.
Addiena and Russian Doll will square up in a MR 79 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1000m.
Garth Puller-trained Addiena has been dominant over the course and distance and has again been priced up favourite to improve her tally of winners, but her merit rating has gone up 18 points since her maiden victory and she might battle to hold off Russian Doll on this occasion.
Russian Doll had two runs as a juvenile, both on the Polytrack, and won both.
Trainer Michael Roberts gave his charge a break, probably giving her time to mature, and brought her out for the first time as a three-year-old at Hollywoodbets Scottsville in November.
She opened as favourite for that 1000m race but drifted in the betting, clearly indicating she would need the run. As a result, the fact she was beaten just 3.90 lengths by Get In The Q was encouraging.
This Pathfork filly returned to the Polytrack for her next race, which was over 1100m, and again performed well to finish a 0.50-length third behind Aisling.
This will be her third run back and Russian Doll should be in peak form for this race. Rachel Venniker has ridden her in all four starts and will be back in the irons once again, taking 1.5kg off her back.
Addiena looked quite ordinary in her first few starts but once Puller introduced her to the Polytrack this daughter of Wylie Hall found a new lease on life.
She has won three of her last four starts, all over 1000m, and will not go down without a fight. Apprentice Siphesihle Hlengwa is up and he will take 2.5kg off her back.
Jack Milner’s selections
Race 1: 1 Twice As Perfect, 4 Salient Point, 5 Pixie In Love, 7 Gimme A Dream
Race 2: 5 Hey Bill, 9 Coromandel, 7 Afropolitan, 1 Lord Minver
Race 3: 4 Corsican, 1 Mister Lincoln, 5 Alfatorio, 2 Duke Of Africa
Race 4: 2 Russian Doll, 5 Addiena, 1 Puff Of Smoke, 9 Beckoning Beauty
Race 5: 3 Crested Eagle, 7 Giambattista, 4 Justfortheepenny, 5 Brave Voyager
Race 6: 4 Capetown Affair, 5 Mac Hardy, 7 Quiz Master, 3 Movie Magic
Race 7: 2 Aerial Display, 4 Zakho, 3 Ice Kingdom, 9 Lou Lou The Legend
Race 8: 3 Shell Seeker, 4 Miss Lialah, 11 Bell Jar, 7 Lucia Poppova
BEST BET
Race 3 No 4 Corsican
VALUE BET
Race 7 No 2 Aerial Display
BEST SWINGER
Race 4 2x5
BIPOT
R216
Leg 1: 1, 4, 5
Leg 2: 5, 7, 9
Leg 3: 4
Leg 4: 2, 5
Leg 5: 3, 4, 5, 7
Leg 6: 4, 5, 7
PLACE ACCUMULATOR
R144
Leg 1: 5, 7, 9
Leg 2: 4
Leg 3: 2, 5
Leg 4: 3, 4, 5, 7
Leg 5: 4, 5
Leg 6: 2, 3, 4
Leg 7: 3
PICK 6
R1080
Leg 1: 4
Leg 2: 2, 5
Leg 3: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Leg 4: 3, 4, 5, 7, 8
Leg 5: 2, 3, 4, 9
Leg 6: 3, 4, 11
JACKPOT 1
R 360
Leg 1: 2, 5
Leg 2: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Leg 3: 3, 4, 5, 7, 8
Leg 4: 2, 3, 4, 9
JACKPOT 2
R540
Leg 1: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Leg 2: 3, 4, 5, 7, 8
Leg 3: 2, 3, 4, 9
Leg 4: 3, 4, 11
PICTURE: GOLD CIRCLE