Times point to Abalus

Among those is Abalus, who is one of two runners from the Ashley Fortune stable to contest Race 6, a Classified Stakes over 1000m.

While she is one of the better weighted runners, the daughter of Jackson will be fully tested as she is taking on the colts, most of them older and more experienced.

After finishing second in five successive races, three of them as a strong favourite, Abalus had to be on the bookmakers’ shortlist to have her picture up at their annual Christmas dinner.

However, she was unfriended from all their Facebook pages last time when, reverting to 1000m, she romped home under champion jockey Lyle Hewitson to win impressively.

The form has been franked as third-placed Stolen Kiss won her next start, while runner up Quick Run went on to run a one-length third behind Bethel.

While that is all maiden form, what stands out in Abalus’ victory was her winning time of 57.03 seconds. She carries 56kg this time and it is also interesting that Hewitson will be back aboard.

The biggest threat could come from stablemate On Cue, another three-year-old filly. She is a two-time winner who has also placed behind some very good fillies, specifically Sheela, to whom she finished a 1.60-length second at this course in August.

The Oratorio filly also looks to be at her best over 1000m currently and she should contest the finish. She does have to give 2kg to Abalus, though.

Muzi Yeni gets the ride for the first time.

Frontline Fighter is a three-year-old from the Paul Peter stable who improved with gelding and the addition of blinkers. He ran out a very easy winner of his last start and there could be more improvement to come. But he contested a race on the same day as Abalus won, and her time was 0.55 seconds faster.

Ironically, Yeni rode him last time, but Warren Kennedy is in town and he usually has first call on the Peter runners.

Jack Milner’s selections

Race 1: 7 Corapi, 5 Invincible Wall, 1 Quality Joker, 2 Magic Number

Race 2: 8 Dame Of Flames, 9 Kizzmekia, 7 Tuuletar, 1 Bold Decision

Race 3: 8 Senescence, 9 Capetown Affair, 1 Secret Is Ours, 2 Humble Tune

Race 4: 7 Letsdoit, 8 Noble Striker, 3 Flying Grace, 2 Last Of The Legend

Race 5: 4 Bella Rosa, 3 Kotinos, 6 Linganomore, 1 Mitch Got His Wish

Race 6: 5 Abalus, 3 On Cue, 4 Frontline Fighter, 1 Bronco Blitz

Race 7: 5 Lucy In The Sky, 6 I Dream Of Genie, 7 Franca, 3 Emerald Crest

Race 8: 7 Amazon Orchid, 9 Rozara, 4 Miracle And Wonder, 1 Bat Out Of Hell

BEST BET

Race 2 No 8 Dame Of Flowers

VALUE BET

Race 4 No 7 Letsdoit

BEST SWINGER

Race 2 8×9

BIPOT

R96

Leg 1: 7

Leg 2: 8

Leg 3: 8, 9

Leg 4: 2, 3, 7, 8

Leg 5: 1, 3, 4, 6

Leg 6: 3, 4, 5

PLACE ACCUMULATOR

R324

Leg 1: 8

Leg 2: 8, 9

Leg 3: 3, 7, 8

Leg 4: 3, 4, 6

Leg 5: 3, 5

Leg 6: 5, 6, 7

Leg 7: 4, 7, 9

PICK 6

R2880

Leg 1: 8, 9

Leg 2: 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8

Leg 3: 1, 3, 4, 6

Leg 4: 3, 4, 5

Leg 5: 3, 5, 6, 7

Leg 6: 1, 2, 4, 7, 9

JACKPOT 1

R288

Leg 1: 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8

Leg 2: 1, 3, 4, 6

Leg 3: 3, 4, 5

Leg 4: 3, 5, 6, 7

JACKPOT 2

R240    

Leg 1: 1, 3, 4, 6

Leg 2: 3, 4, 5

Leg 3: 3, 5, 6, 7

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