Jack Milner
There is a fascinating MR 90 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1200m on the Fairview turf track on Tuesday.
Race 7 sees the return to racing of Ekoria, who will be having her first run as a three-year-old.
Trainer Gavin Smith’s charge has raced five times for three victories and two places. Her wins include the Listed Dahlia Plate over the course and distance of Tuesday’s race and her two places were a second place behind Chere For Me in the East Cape Fillies Nursery on debut (a result she reversed in no uncertain manner in the Dahlia Plate) and a 2.60-length fourth behind Sweet Pepper in the Grade 1 Allan Robertson Championship at Scottsville.
She returned to Fairview to win a Juvenile Plate over 1200m on 1 July and has not raced since.
The daughter of Futura has been allotted top weight but 4kg of that will be offset by the claim of apprentice. This young apprentice has been impressive so far and is worth every kilo of his claim.
She is undoubtedly the runner to beat but if she is in need of the run, Ekoria could face a strong challenge from Sharon Kotzen-trained Peach Daiquiri.
The Vercingetorix filly could not have been more impressive when making a winning debut as a late two-year-old. She was heavily supported in the betting and ran out a winner by 8.50 lengths. While runner-up Dream Scape has not gone on to win a race, he has placed in two of his next three races.
However, Ladyhawke, beaten 15.10 lengths, went on to win her next start while Echoes Of Winter, beaten 11.85 lengths shed her maiden two races later.
Of course, she has not raced for 95 days, but she will carry just 54.5kg and has Louis Mxothwa, who is in prolific form, in the irons.
Jack Milner’s selections
Race 1: 9 Divine Design, 3 Emily's Spirit, 11 Nairobi, 4 Tipsy Tina
Race 2: 1 Lemme Go, 8 Dreamt I Could Fly, 2 Trumps Express, 4 Jackson Misissippi
Race 3: 1 Opening Ceremony, 6 Douglas Devastator, 8 Mansooriya, 2 Belle's First Wave
Race 4: 5 Vida Futura, 8 Almas Tower, 2 Magnum Fire, 1 Van Gogh
Race 5: 4 Africa's Rock, 1 Bold Resolve, 2 Mhlabeni, 3 Motor City Hitman
Race 6: 4 Rose Of Bayeux, 7 Track Commander, 3 Dammi, 5 Flinders Range
Race 7: 1 Ekoria, 8 Peach Daiquiri, 5 Red Berry, 6 Stolen Kiss
Race 8: 9 Raisetheredlantern, 6 Psychedelic Eric, 2 Blonde Act, 5 Bethel
BEST BET
Race 1 No 9 Divine Design
VALUE BET
Race 5 No 4 Africa’s Rock
BEST SWINGER
Race 2 1x8
BIPOT
R216
Leg 1: 9
Leg 2: 1, 8
Leg 3: 1, 2, 6, 8
Leg 4: 2, 5, 8
Leg 5: 1, 2, 4
Leg 6: 3, 4, 7
PLACE ACCUMULATOR
R216
Leg 1: 1
Leg 2: 1, 6, 8
Leg 3: 5, 8
Leg 4: 1, 2, 4
Leg 5: 4, 7
Leg 6: 1, 8
Leg 7: 2, 6, 9
PICK 6
R2000
Leg 1: 1, 2, 3, 6, 8
Leg 2: 5, 8
Leg 3: 1, 2, 3, 4, 10
Leg 4: 3, 4, 5, 7
Leg 5: 1, 8
Leg 6: 2, 3, 5, 6, 9
JACKPOT 1
R160
Leg 1: 1, 2, 5, 8
Leg 2: 1, 2, 3, 4, 10
Leg 3: 3, 4, 5, 7
Leg 4: 1, 8
JACKPOT 2
R200
Leg 1: 1, 2, 3, 4, 10
Leg 2: 3, 4, 5, 7
Leg 3: 1, 8
Leg 4: 2, 3, 5, 6, 9