Jack Milner
Breeders spend a lot of time calculating which male line and female line to combine in the hope of producing a top-class racehorse.
Just because both are well-bred does not guarantee a champion. In truth, it is often a matter of hit and miss (if one will pardon the expression) and after a few misses, on occasion the breeder finally hits the right mark.
That appears to be the case with the mare Secretariat’s Girl. The daughter of Captain Al stands at Klawervlei Stud and she was first sent to Coup De Grace. The subsequent foal failed to win. The next attempt was to Pomodoro, and the gelding managed one win from 10 starts before being retired.
Next came Rafeef, and before that foal had even raced the mare was put to Vercingetorix. But whether the word was out that the previous foal was doing well or not, Secretariat’s Girl was again put to Rafeef.
The first Rafeef baby was Tintin and in his five runs so far the gelding has hardly put a foot wrong. He finished a 1.40-length fourth on debut and then followed up with two second places, the first behind Grand Empire, winner of the Grade 1 HKJC World Pool SA Classic last Saturday, and the second behind Grade 2 Gauteng Guineas winner and SA Classic third-placed Splittheeights.
In both cases he gave them 1kg as he is a four-year-old and that was the weight-for-age allowance.
He has since gone on to win two races by 5.75 lengths and 2.50 lengths respectively.
The second Rafeef baby is filly Secretary Bird, currently unbeaten in two starts, and winner last Saturday at Turffontein of the Listed Wilgerbosdrift Ruffian Stakes over 1000m.
Both horses are trained by Sean Tarry and they are undoubtedly two runners worth following.
One does not have to wait too long for Tintin, as he is carded to line up in Race 9 at Turffontein on Thursday, a MR 96 Handicap over 1450m on the Inside track.
The four-year-old gelding will be fully tested in this field because it looks quite decent, but his form is strong and he is fully expected to rise to the occasion. Craig Zackey has ridden him three times already and he will be back on board this time. Even though he will be putting up 0.5kg overweight it is unlikely to stop Tintin from winning.
He still will be racing with just 53.5kg on his back and will jump from No 3 draw.
While Tintin does look the best bet on the 10-race card, the two runners to be considered for Exactas and Swingers are Mike and Mathew de Kock-trained Bristol Hercules and Lucky Houdalakis’ Ringa Ringa Roses.
Jack Milner’s selections
Race 1: 2 Gimmesumluv, 1 Lolly Willowes, 3 Savara's Princess, 5 Storm Ballet
Race 2: 2 Doesyourmotherknow, 6 Within Reach, 1 Cash Out, 5 Moana
Race 3: 3 Great Rift Valley, 1 Cover Charge, 2 Ehhfifteenkjoe, 5 Parachute Adams
Race 4: 3 Shoreybomba, 2 One Of Those Days, 1 Porridge Boy, 10 Emerald Countess
Race 5: 3 Wayne, 5 Fire Storm, 4 Buddy Boy, 2 Ideal Summer
Race 6: 10 Silver Flare, 9 Falconfly, 5 Rosy Lemon, 8 Galaxy Queen
Race 7: 1 Perfect Miracle, 2 Roaming Spirit, 4 Bright And Brazen, 8 Fish Hawk
Race 8: 4 Banyan, 3 Hemisphere, 5 His Lordship, 2 Turbo Power
Race 9: 7 Tintin, 4 Bristol Hercules, 8 Ringa Ringa Roses, 6 Got The Feeling
Race 10: 6 Bay Empire, 7 Golden Aspen, 8 Kotinos, 11 Can't Catch Me
BEST BET
Race 9: 7 Tintin
VALUE BET
Race 6: 10 Silver Flare
BEST SWINGER
Race 3 1x3
BIPOT
R288
Leg 1: 2, 6
Leg 2: 1, 3
Leg 3: 1, 2, 3
Leg 4: 3, 5
Leg 5: 5, 8, 9, 10
Leg 6: 1, 2, 4
PLACE ACCUMULATOR
R324
Leg 1: 1, 3
Leg 2: 1, 2, 3
Leg 3: 3, 5
Leg 4: 5, 9, 10
Leg 5: 1, 2, 4
Leg 6: 3, 4, 5
Leg 7: 7
PICK 6
R1800
Leg 1: 1, 2, 3, 10
Leg 2: 3, 4, 5
Leg 3: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
Leg 4: 1, 2, 4, 5, 8
Leg 5: 3, 4, 5
Leg 6: 7