Hasta Manana finished just 4.70 lengths back in the Grade 1 Premiers Champion Stakes last time and back in maiden company he looks a tough horse to beat.
Hasta Manana has a lot going for him when he lines up a Race 5, a Maiden Plate over 1400m at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Sunday.
Hasta Manana is Spanish for “until tomorrow”, but that should not be the case for this three-year-old son of William Longsword.
Prior to that Grade 1 run the Gareth van Zyl-trained runner had finished second in four successive races and, probably as a result of his last race, comes into this race with a merit rating of 90. That makes him the best weighted runner in by at least 5.5kg.
Anton Marcus takes the ride for the first time and has the benefit of jumping from No 1 draw.
He is worth a solid bet and looks a banker in all the exotics.
The next best on the card comes up in Race 1, a Maiden Plate for fillies and mares over 1200m.
Drive By made dramatic improvement after a rest and the addition of blinkers. This well-bred filly was beaten just 0.60 lengths after a tough duel with other some over useful fillies making life tough for her. She appeared to be heading for success but was just run out of it by Family Favourite.
She should have a much better passage this time with main danger Leopard Lady a backmarker, who could get going too late again.
Jack Milner’s selections
Race 1: 2 Drive By, 8 Leopard Lady, 3 Shell Seeker, 1 Reginas Angel
Race 2: 8 Sting Ray, 2 Indigo Fields, 1 Queen Mercury, 9 Casa Rosada
Race 3: 6 Siege Of Orleans, 8 Duquesne Whistle, 7 Amble Inn, 2 Cape Star
Race 4: 7 October Song, 5 Lucky Miss, 2 Iqembulabesifazane, 4 Blanchetta
Race 5: 1 Hasta Manana, 4 Barrington, 6 Ideal Act, 2 Ladooshka
Race 6: 9 Pray For Rain, 4 Tempting Fate, 3 Light That Loose, 2 Good Rhythm
Race 7: 8 Chief Executive, 1 Mount Greylock, 6 Hampton Court, 5 We All Chomies
Race 8: 8 Varvacious, 5 Magicallee, 1 Maquette, 2 Flying The Star
BEST BET
Race 5 No 1 Hasta Manana
VALUE BET
8 No 8 Varvacious
BEST SWINGER
Race 3 6×8
BIPOT
R108
Leg 1: 2, 8
Leg 2: 1, 2, 8
Leg 3: 6, 8
Leg 4: 2, 5, 7
Leg 5: 1
Leg 6: 3, 4, 9
PLACE ACCUMULATOR
R216
Leg 1: 1, 2, 8
Leg 2: 6, 8
Leg 3: 5, 7
Leg 4: 1
Leg 5: 3, 4, 9
Leg 6: 1, 6, 8
Leg 7: 5, 8
PICK 6
R1200
Leg 1: 6, 7, 8
Leg 2: 5, 7
Leg 3: 1
Leg 4: 2, 3, 4, 8, 9
Leg 5: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Leg 6: 1, 2, 4, 5, 8
JACKPOT 1
R80
Leg 1: 5, 7
Leg 2: 1
Leg 3: 2, 3, 4, 8, 9
Leg 4: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
JACKPOT 2
R200
Leg 1: 1
Leg 2: 2, 3, 4, 8, 9
Leg 3: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Leg 4: 1, 2, 4, 5, 8