Jack Milner: Pick 6 carryovers have almost become the norm when racing takes place on the Polytrack at Hollywoodbets Greyville but for once there look to be some decent bets on Monday’s card, which could make that exotic a lot more catchable.
The best of these could be Avenir in Race 8, a MR 65 Handicap over 1600m. From the Ashley Fortune yard, this son of Futura has well supported to win first time out in a Maiden Plate over 1400m on the turf.
It is not easy for any horse to win on debut and not much went right for Avenir in that race as he got a bump, raced greenly and shifted about. However, under a determined ride from Anton Marcus he got up in the shadow of the post to beat Jays Dancer by a short head.
It looks significant that Marcus has taken the ride again and, with the experience of run under his belt and an extra 200m to travel, Avenir should show substantial improvement and notch up another victory.
Of course, this is his first run on the Polytrack, but as he is based in KwaZulu-Natal one can be assured Avenir has worked on the surface. He does have a decent enough No 6 draw.
The danger is likely to come from another three-year-old in Ferraris Ice from the Dean Kannemeyer yard. He has raced four times, winning his maiden last time out over 1400m on the Polytrack. There have been no winners in four runs from the form and one has the impression there is more improvement likely from Avenir.
A good pointer to this event comes up in Race 4, a Maiden Plate over 1400m, where Jays Dancer, touched off by Avenir last time, goes out as quite a strong favourite.
Tienie Prinsloo’s runner could well be another banker in the Pick 6 and get supporters of that exotic off to a good start. He has raced on Polytrack and placed in three of his four outings on the surface.
This time Prinsloo has engaged Lyle Hewitson, who is in top form currently, to ride his charge and that could make all the difference.
For those with the courage to banker a horse in the final leg of a Pick 6, they could also take a chance with Ingakara in Race 9. Trained by MJ Odendaal, this four-year-old filly has gone very close in three of her six races. She runs well on the Polytrack and for once, has landed a decent draw – pole position, to be exact.
Nicholas Patel takes the ride again.
Jack Milner’s selections
Race 1: 1 King’s Crusade, 3 Ibutho, 4 Gloucestershire, 6 Flymefree
Race 2: 4 Rain Must Fall, 7 Lord Caro, 11 Austin Creed, 3 PreciousRace Love
Race 3: 8 Spirit Of My Fate, 6 Time Taker, 2 Sir Henry Hawkins, 1 Hello Again
Race 4: 6 Jays Dancer, 3 Red Rock Canyon, 8 Lightening Spirit, 4 Star Over Capetown
Race 5: 5 San’s Dancer, 3 Cersei, 1 Talia Al Ghul, 11 Top Salute
Race 6: 5Lasata, 2 Ulterior Motive, 1 Silver Fox Dog, 12 Pantsula
Race 7: 4 Basetsana, 5 Short Skirt Flirt, 9 Cozy Dot Com, 6 Everdene
Race 8: 6 Avenir, 1 Ferrari Ice, 3 Regent Seven, 7 Secret Dynasty
Race 9: 1 Ingakara, 5 Dancing Sword, 4 Miss Caruso, 6 Emerald Isla
BEST BET
Race 8 No 6 Avenir
VALUE BET
Race 6 No 5 Lasata
BEST SWINGER
Race 4 3×6
BIPOT
R480
Leg 1: 3, 4, 7, 11
Leg 2: 6, 8
Leg 3: 6
Leg 4: 1, 3, 5, 11, 12
Leg 5: 1, 2, 5
Leg 6: 4, 5, 6, 9
PLACE ACCUMULATOR
R96
Leg 1: 6, 8
Leg 2: 6
Leg 3: 1, 3, 5, 11
Leg 4: 1, 2, 5
Leg 5: 4, 5, 6, 9
Leg 6: 6
Leg 7: 1
PICK 6
R1800
Leg 1: 3, 6
Leg 2: 1, 3, 5, 11, 12
Leg 3: 1, 2, 3, 5, 10, 12
Leg 4: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
Leg 5: 6
Leg 6: 1, 5, 6
JACKPOT 1
R300
Leg 1: 1, 3, 5, 11, 12
Leg 2: 1, 2, 3, 5, 10, 12
Leg 3: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
Leg 4: 6
JACKPOT 2
R180
Leg 1: 1, 2, 3, 5, 10, 12
Leg 2: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
Leg 3: 6
Leg 4: 1, 5, 6