Top three-year-olds clash at Turffontein

Jack Milner

A strongly contested Graduation Plate adds a heap of class to the card at Turffontein on Tuesday when they race on the Inside track.

The first is over 1200m and comes up in Race 2, which sees talented three-year-old filly Southern Skies take on unbeaten Back In Business

It looks a wise move from trainer Johan Janse van Vuuren to put the daughter of Vercingetorix in a race like this because, as a one-time winner, she gets a base weight of 57kg and also gets a 2.5kg sex allowance which see her come in with 54.5kg on her back.

Based on merit ratings, had this been a handicap, Southern Skies would have had to concede 11.5kg to Joe Soma’s charge whereas in this case, he has to give the filly 5.5kg.

However, Back In Business has won both his starts and could be quite a bit better than his merit rating of 82.

The other question is whether Southern Skies’ merit rating should be as high as 105. Based on her debut, it should. She romped home over 1160m on the Standside track by 7.75 lengths in one of the fastest times of the day.

However, that run was almost six months ago and that form line has not produced a next-time winner from 14 runners.

In addition, since then Southern Skies has run here more times for a second place and two thirds, starting a pretty hot favourite in all three.

Keagan de Melo will ride the filly this time while S’manga Khumalo will stick with Back In Business. He also has the advantage of jumping from No 1 draw as this race is run around the turn.  

There is another runner who cannot be ignored and that is Dave The King, who will be having his first run for Mike de Kock. This Global View colt has been contesting races with the country’s highest rated three-year-old Charles Dickens and has not been beaten far by the son of Trippi.

However, he comes up from Cape Town and will be coming back from an almost three-month break so could need the run.

However, he does have Richard Fourie in the irons.

Jack Milner’s selections

Race 1: 5 Broadway, 3 Green Sceptre, 1 Williamson, 4 I'm A Man

Race 2: 2 Back In Business, 6 Southern Skies, 1 Dave The King, 5 Mo Jive

Race 3: 1 Laguna Verde, 4 Tipsy Tarragon, 8 Mrs Browning, 5 Dancetildaylight

Race 4: 7 Otto Luyken, 1 Vanderbilt, 2 Supreme Dance, 4 Willow's Wish

Race 5: 2 African Torrent, 1 Twin Turbo, 4 American Biscuit, 5 Romeo's Magic

Race 6: 2 Bloomington, 8 Angel Of War, 1 Global Impact, 5 Futurewolff

Race 7: 8 Beaded Gown, 3 Tre Amici, 2 Axel Collins, 4 Covert Operator

Race 8: 2 Laetitia's Angel, 6 Nettleton, 1 Fly Isabella Fly, 3 Virginia Beach

BEST BET

Race 1 No 5 Broadway

VALUE BET

Race 4 No 7 Otto Luykin

BEST SWINGER

Race 2 2x6

BIPOT

R162

Leg 1: 5

Leg 2: 2, 6

Leg 3: 1, 4, 8

Leg 4: 1, 2, 7

Leg 5: 1, 2, 4

Leg 6: 1, 2, 8

PLACE ACCUMULATOR

R216

Leg 1: 2, 6

Leg 2: 1, 4, 8

Leg 3: 1, 2, 7

Leg 4: 1, 2

Leg 5: 1, 2, 8

Leg 6: 8

Leg 7: 2, 6

PICK 6

R1440

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

Leg 2: 1, 2, 7

Leg 3: 1, 2, 4, 5

Leg 4: 1, 2, 5, 8

Leg 5: 3, 8

Leg 6: 1, 2, 6

JACKPOT 1

R96

Leg 1: 1, 2, 7

Leg 2: 1, 2, 4, 5

Leg 3: 1, 2, 5, 8

Leg 4: 3, 8

JACKPOT 2

R96

Leg 1: 1, 2, 4, 5

Leg 2: 1, 2, 5, 8

Leg 3: 3, 8

Leg 4: 1, 2, 6