Treble hope for Mxothwa

Jack Milner

One could make a comparison between the jockeys Luyolo Mxothwa and Piere Strydom. It might sound strange but there are some similarities.

Both honed their riding skills in Port Elizabeth where they caught the attention of trainers in other centres. Strydom made the move to Joburg while Mxothwa is now primarily based in Cape Town where he rides for Brett Crawford.

Mxothwa has grabbed the opportunity with both hands. He is among the country’s top 10 riders this season and boasts a win strike-rate above 10% with a place strike-rate close on 50%. He could improve those statistics if he can earn a treble on Wednesday’s Durbanville card.

Capitaine Maurice should get the ball rolling for Mxothwa and Crawford in the opener if confirming the improvement of his last start when third behind multiple winner and Nursery scorer We're Jamming in a sales race.

That was his first run after gelding so there should be more to come from the two-year-old son of Captain Of All on his track debut from gate No 8.

Mxothwa rides Gallic Tribe in Race 7 and he could represent generous eachway value in a competitive heat. He has finished second four times in his last five starts and was only 0.25 lengths off the winner when third over 1400m last time out.

He finished behind re-opposing rivals Tout A Fait and Path Of Choice on that occasion but should turn the tables on the revised weight terms.

Highly regarded two-year-old Seeking The One followed his third on debut with an impressive win next time out over 1200m. He runs in Race 8 over 1250m and it could pay to follow the progress of the What A Winter colt who looks well placed to continue his winning ways under bottom weight.

Jack Milner’ selections

Race 1: 2 Capitaine Maurice, 8 Lang's Power, 4 Furie Nocturne, 7 I Did It My Way

Race 2:  9 Queen Of Sparta, 4 Gypsy Express, 7 Inara's Dynasty, 5 Happy Chance

Race 3:  3 Charlie Croker, 1 War Banner, 2 Bowled Over, 9 Forever Bill

Race 4:  8 Perilla, 3 Simply Beautiful, 5 Love Rules, 4 Lady Of Gold

Race 5:  11 Pas De Nom, 6 Federal Reserve, 7 Future Turn, 1 Galactic Path

Race 6:  5 Parisienne Girl, 2 Golden Dah, 3 Fynbos, 6 Just Power

Race 7:  7 Gallic Tribe, 8 Sugar Mountain, 3 Han Solo, 9 The Futurist

Race 8:  9 Seeking The One, 3 Sun Dazed, 7 Fort Red, 1 Van Hunks

BEST BET

Race 2 No 9 Queen Of Sparta

VALUE BET

Race 7 No 7 Gallic Tribe

BEST SWINGER

Race 4 3x8

BIPOT

R144

Leg 1: 2, 8

Leg 2: 9

Leg 3: 1, 2, 3

Leg 4: 3, 8

Leg 5: 6, 7, 11

Leg 6: 2, 3, 5, 6

PLACE ACCUMULATOR

R144

Leg 1: 9

Leg 2: 1, 3

Leg 3: 3, 8

Leg 4: 6, 11

Leg 5: 2, 3, 5

Leg 6: 3, 7, 8

Leg 7: 3, 9

PICK 6

R1350

Leg 1: 1, 2, 3

Leg 2: 3, 8

Leg 3: 6, 7, 11

Leg 4: 1, 2, 3, 5, 6

Leg 5: 3, 4, 7, 8, 9

Leg 6: 3, 7, 9

JACKPOT 1

R150

Leg 1: 3, 8

Leg 2: 6, 7, 11

Leg 3: 1, 2, 3, 5, 6

Leg 4: 3, 4, 7, 8, 9

JACKPOT 2

R225

Leg 1: 6, 7, 11

Leg 2: 1, 2, 3, 5, 6

Leg 3: 3, 4, 7, 8, 9

Leg 4: 3, 7, 9