Jack Milner
In 44 BC, Roman emperor Julius arrived at the senate and, according to William Shakespeare, was confronted by a soothsayer who warned him to “beware the ides of March”.
Caesar ignored the advice and was stabbed to death on the senate floor.
It might be 2069 years later, but the same advice can be proffered to punters at Turffontein on Saturday’s ides (15th) of March, where the Grade 3 Sycamore Sprint over 1160m on the Standside track tops a nine-race card.
A full field of 16 runners are carded to go to post and one could make a winning case for almost all of the fillies and mares who will contest the race.
In fact, followers of Muzi Yeni’s column (see Page 8) will observe he has included the entire field in his suggested Pick 6.
Other than the competitive nature of the race, the weather is another factor to take into account as there has been a lot of rain in Gauteng and that could also impact on the outcome.
Nevertheless, the nod narrowly goes to Almond Sea from the Tony Peter yard who put up such a gallant effort when beating Poblano in the Listed Swallow Stakes over the same course and distance in January.
Sadly, the rematch will not be taking place as Poblano was withdrawn from the race by trainer Robbie Sage on Friday citing a head injury.
Almond Sea will be reunited with Gavin Lerena and they look to have the class to notch up another win.
Sean Tarry-trained Mia Moo has contested four successive feature races, the last two coming at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, in which she finished a close-up fourth in both.
She has raced four times over the course and distance for two wins and two fourths and will have Piere Strydom in the irons.
Mike and Mathew de Kock-trained Calantha has been running over slightly further but she has three runs over track and trip for two wins and a second place.
This daughter of Querari carries just 52kg but she has landed No 1 draw which is not in her favour.
Sean Veale takes the ride.
Lucky Houdalakis sends out top weight Elegant Ice and despite having 62kg on her back this filly has some excellent sprinting form and will have Ryan Munger up.
Robyn Klaasen's stable star Purple Pitcher lines up in Race 5, a Pinnacle Stakes over 1800m. Last season he won the Grade 1 SA Classic as well as the Grade 1 SA Derby.
While he has not won since then, he did finished second in the Betway Summer Cup and ran well when runner-up behind Son Of Raj last time out. He has been nominated to run in the Grade 1 World Pool Premier’s Champions Challenge over 2000m on 29 March and this race should provide the perfect warm-up.
He will also be fitted with blinkers for the first time but he will be partnered by his regular jockey, Kabelo Matsunyane.
Jack Milner’s selections
Race 1: 7 One Fine Winter, 8 Snow Queen, 1 Master Predator, 3 Safe Travel
Race 2: 8 Tina Lovelace, 5 Opera Fan, 3 Frangipani, 4 Hot Cocoa
Race 3: 2 Apache Chief, 1 Cronus, 4 Blurred Vision, 3 Sovereign Crown
Race 4: 8 Aurora Green, 11 Mattiazo, 3 Nkwenkwezi, 1 The Mightiest
Race 5: 1 Purple Pitcher, 2 Hotarubi, 4 Tamarisk Tree, 3 Radicchio
Race 6: 1 Pomodoro's Jet, 2 Gimmeanotherchance, 6 Night Bomber, 5 Ikigai
Race 7: 2 Almond Sea, 4 Mia Moo, 14 Calantha, 1 Elegant Ice
Race 8: 9 My Lady Soul, 1 Mary's Greenlight, 8 Oxalis Gold, 3 Explosive Bond
Race 9: 3 Golden Moment, 5 Roaming Spirit, 4 Accept Cookies, 1 Sea Anemone
BEST BET
Race 1 No 7 One Fine Winter
VALUE BET
Race 5 No 1 Purple Pitcher
BEST SWINGER
Race 6 1x2
BIPOT
R96
Leg 1: 8
Leg 2: 2
Leg 3: 3, 8, 11
Leg 4: 1, 2, 3, 4
Leg 5: 1, 2
Leg 6: 1, 2, 4, 14
PLACE ACCUMULATOR
R216
Leg 1: 2
Leg 2: 8, 11
Leg 3: 1, 2, 4
Leg 4: 1, 2
Leg 5: 2, 4, 14
Leg 6: 1, 9
Leg 7: 3, 4, 5
PICK 6
R1440
Leg 1: 1, 2, 3, 8, 11
Leg 2: 1, 2, 3, 4
Leg 3: 1, 2
Leg 4: 1, 2, 4, 13, 14
Leg 5: 1, 9
Leg 6: 3, 4, 5
JACKPOT 1
R96
Leg 1: 1, 2, 3, 4
Leg 2: 1, 2
Leg 3: 1, 2, 4, 13, 14
Leg 4: 1, 9
JACKPOT 2
R72
Leg 1: 1, 2
Leg 2: 1, 2, 4, 13, 14
Leg 3: 1, 9
Leg 4: 3, 4, 5