Jack Milner
It is not always easy to find winners on the Fairview Polytrack and it is even more so in handicaps but three runners do provide some hope for bettors at Friday’s meeting.
The first of them comes up in Race 4, a MR 68 Handicap over 1900m where the improving Puerto Plata can score again.
The mount of jockey Richard Fourie looked an unlucky loser last time when beaten 0.25 lengths by rival Harold The Duke.
Both were tasting the Polytrack for the first time that day, but Argentinian-bred Puerto Plata was badly drawn and came from a long way back to challenge late.
Puerto Plata will get his chance to avenge that defeat as they meet again in this race.
There was not too much between them in their penultimate start as well which went the way of Puerto Plata by 0.25 lengths on the turf, so the 1kg pull plus the fact Puerto Plata is better drawn this time could see him get the better of his rival.
Passchendaele showed of what she is capable with a fluent win the last time she saw the Polytrack, which was in her penultimate start, and was not disgraced last time out when just 3.25 lengths behind class sprinting filly Three Rocks.
Jockey S'manga Khumalo knows how to get the best out of this Kelly Mitchley-trained filly and a positive ride should pay dividends in Race 7, a MR 86 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1300m, from No 4 draw.
In Race 8, a MR 71 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1300m, juvenile Can't Say No could provide the value.
She won well last time and although Fourie, Alan Greeff’s first-choice jockey, will be on Concerto, the younger filly might upstage them. She won her maiden over 1400m on this surface by seven lengths and can only improve on that performance.
Jack Milner’s selections
Race 1: 5 Project Runway, 2 Confetti, 3 Miss Prior, 1 Deco Var
Race 2: 3 Golden Link, 7 Walt Whitman, 5 Nikes Ray Of Light, 6 Velvet Valour
Race 3: 7 Wolfram, 1 William's Legacy, 4 Regazzo Grande, 6 Imhotep
Race 4: 2 Puerto Plata, 5 Harold The Duke, 9 The Inkosana, 8 Slainte Mhath
Race 5: 6 Head Gardener, 1 Meetatthewindsor, 3 Irontail, 2 Launch Code
Race 6: 6 Arturo, 7 Duke Of Orange, 2 Notorix, 4 Charlie Malone
Race 7: 2 Passchendaele, 4 Easy Living, 6 Back For More, 9 Twice To Heaven
Race 8: 7 Can't Say No, 1 Concerto, 3 Iqembulabesifazane, 2 Allende
BEST BET
Race 2 No 3 Golden Link
VALUE BET
Race 3 No 7 Wolfram
BEST SWINGER
Race 4 2x5
BIPOT
R216
Leg 1: 2, 3, 5
Leg 2: 3
Leg 3: 1, 4, 6, 7
Leg 4: 2, 5
Leg 5: 1, 3, 6
Leg 6: 2, 6, 7
PLACE ACCUMULATOR
R162
Leg 1: 3
Leg 2: 1, 4, 7
Leg 3: 2, 5
Leg 4: 1, 2, 6
Leg 5: 2, 6, 7
Leg 6: 2
Leg 7: 1, 3, 7
PICK 6
R1280
Leg 1: 1, 4, 6, 7
Leg 2: 2, 5, 8, 9
Leg 3: 1, 2, 3, 5, 6
Leg 4: 2, 4, 6, 7
Leg 5: 2
Leg 6: 1, 2, 3, 7
JACKPOT 1
R80
Leg 1: 2, 5, 8, 9
Leg 2: 1, 2, 3, 5, 6
Leg 3: 2, 4, 6, 7
Leg 4: 2
JACKPOT 2
R80
Leg 1: 1, 2, 3, 5, 6
Leg 2: 2, 4, 6, 7
Leg 3: 2
Leg 4: 1, 2, 3, 7