Trust gets the green light for further glory

Jack Milner

Despite a disappointing performance from Jan Van Goyen in yesterday’s L’Ormarins King’s Plate in the Cape, Trust still remains the runner to beat in the Grade 3 Betway Got the Greenlight Stakes at Turffontein on Sunday.

Candice and Tammy Dawson’s runner edged out Jan Van Goyen to win the Grade 2 Betway Dingaans on 29 November and that was a superb effort from the lightly raced three-year-old.

While some people point to the fact that Jan Van Goyen was having his first outing since July and needed the run, it is probably to acknowledge the fact that the third horse, All Systems Go, was a further 4.40 lengths behind them, such was the dominance of the performance.

Trust has stayed in Joburg and the Triple Crown is his target, starting off with the Gauteng Guineas on 7 February.

The only concern is whether he was given a break after that tough win and he might not be at his best. If he is even close to that level he will win, especially with Ryan Munger up from a decent No 3 draw.

Trust will concede weight all round and drops back to 1400m, but that should not be of much concern.

The main dangers looks to be improving One Eye On Vegas and Wayne.

The undercard is far from a 'filler'. The Listed Betway Mother Russia Stakes (Race 7) looks a wide-open affair on paper but Al Greenga makes plenty of appeal. The Gimmethegreenlight filly was an impressive winner on her handicap debut over the same course and distance and appears to be going the right way.

Trainer Lucky Houdalakis saddles two, but the jockey booking is telling: Craig Zackey sticks with Al Greenga rather than stablemate Fire In Her Soul, despite the latter’s last-start win under the country’s leading rider. That vote of confidence could be decisive.

Earlier on the card, the Listed Wolf Power 1600 (Race 6) brings together an intriguing mix of exposed form and untapped potential.

The latter category is headed by Grand Empire, the unbeaten Sean Tarry-trained gelding who has done little wrong in three starts. His latest victory - over this course and distance - saw him cruise home by 2.50 lengths, handling the step up in class and trip with ease.

Jack Milner’s selections

Race 1: 1 Volcanic Heat, 6 Secretary Bird, 5 Ruby Whisper, 2 Griselda

Race 2: 1 Heath House, 3 Prayersandpromises, 2 Gimme A Vodka, 6 The Bronx Bull

Race 3: 3 Princess Of All, 1 Precocious, 2 Varachino's Champ, 6 Elegant Edge

Race 4: 4 Stoneywood, 5 Fiery Rose, 3 Rockabilly, 2 Kambati

Race 5: 6 Aladdin's Lamp, 2 Olivia's Way, 3 Busstopinhounslow, 4 Musical Score

Race 6: 11 Grand Empire, 4 Chronicle King, 1 Choisaanada, 10 Obsidian

Race 7: 7 Al Greenga, 3 Warm Reception, 1 Valentina Balducci, 4 Pretty Persuasive

Race 8: 1 Trust, 4 One Eye On Vegas, 7 Wayne, 5 Shadowfax

Race 9: 3 Pistol Pete, 6 Almond Sea, 5 Greaterix, 12 Whispering Death

Race 10: 4 Saketini, 1 Abound, 2 Deal Maker, 10 Tiger Storm

BEST BET

Race 2: 1 Heath House

VALUE BET

Race 10: 4 Saketini

BEST SWINGER

Race 9 3x6

BIPOT 

R54

Leg 1: 1

Leg 2: 1, 2, 3

Leg 3: 3, 4, 5

Leg 4: 2, 3, 6

Leg 5: 11

Leg 6: 3, 6, 7

PLACE ACCUMULATOR

R72

Leg 1: 1, 2, 3

Leg 2: 3, 4, 5

Leg 3: 2, 3

Leg 4: 11

Leg 5: 3, 7

Leg 6: 1

Leg 7: 3, 6

PICK 6

R1296

Leg 1: 2, 3, 4, 5

Leg 2: 2, 3, 4, 6

Leg 3: 1, 4, 11

Leg 4: 1, 3, 7

Leg 5: 1, 4, 7

Leg 6: 3, 5, 6

JACKPOT 1

R108

Leg 1: 2, 3, 4, 6

Leg 2: 1, 4, 11

Leg 3: 1, 3, 7

Leg 4: 1, 4, 7

JACKPOT 2

R189

Leg 1: 1, 3, 7

Leg 2: 1, 4, 7

Leg 3: 3, 5, 6

Leg 4: 1, 2, 3, 4, 10, 11, 13