Turffontein run to prove the Theory

Jack Milner

A gelded Quantum Theory looks ready to find his way back to the winner’s enclosure when he lines up in Race 7, a Pinnacle Stakes over 1450m at Turffontein on Sunday on the Inside track.

The lightly raced son of Querari has been ultra-consistent in all but one of his nine starts. He notched up two wins over 1400m on the Standside track, the second one coming on 9 July last year.

After that, despite finishing close up, he failed to get his head in front at the right moment. As a two-year-old he did finish a 2.50-length third behind Cousin Casey in the Grade 1 Premiers Champion Stakes over 1600m at Hollywoodbets Greyville.

In his next start the now three-year-old colt contested a Progress Plate over the course and distance of Sunday’s race where he finished a one-length second behind Prophet.

Trainer Robbie Sage then opted to put him back in sprints in which he consistently placed until his penultimate start when he ran a shocker in the Grade 3 Man O’ War Sprint over 1100m on 1 April. While there were excuses in that he was bumped at the start and was coughing post-race, his 18-length last-place finish was worrying.

Four days later he was gelded and made his comeback in a Graduation Plate over 1160m at Turffontein where he finished a 5.25-lengh fourth behind Mrs Browning. He was probably in need of the start and he was not helped by the replacement of a shoe at the start so that was an extremely promising performance.

This time he will take a rise in class but where he carried 60kg last time, he comes into this event with just 52kg on his back. He is one of the best weighted runners in this field, is perfectly drawn in barrier No 2 and has a very in-form Muzi Yeni in the irons.

In addition, Quantum Theory will be fitted with a tongue tie for this race.

Vanderbilt is another runner who is well suited by the conditions of this race. He is a big horse and a very strong frontrunner, is well enough drawn in barrier No 4 and also had just 52kg on his back. This is a course that suits horses who like to run up with the pace and despite a disappointing last start, this Tony Peter-trained four-year-old looks the main danger to Quantum Theory.

The What A Winter gelding travelled to Scottsville in Pietermaritzburg to race and five days later ran again at the Vaal. All the travelling may have affected his performance and he is expected to be a force on this occasion.

Jack Milner selections

Race 1: 7 Waitforgreenlight, 6 Happy Analia, 5 Tronador, 1Babylon

Race 2: 5 Manhunter, 1 Contra Fiscum, 8 Si Veloce, 2 Damostar

Race 3: 6 Lady Chatterley, 5 Khateera, 1 Azaleas For All, 7 Naka Island

Race 4: 7 Pied Kingfisher, 10 The Front Line, 11 Play With Fire, 6 Leao Alado

Race 5: 7 American Grayson, 1 Time To Meditate, 6 Green Dynamite, 9 La Dreamer

Race 6: 2 White Fang, 9 Mambo Come Tesio, 6 Flying First Class, 5 Afraad

Race 7: 5 Quantum Theory, 7 Vanderbilt, 3 Eye Of The Prophet, 6 Team Gold

Race 8: 11 Calibre Crest, 2 Cirillo, 1 Meridius, 5 Greek Miss

Race 9: 1 We've Got Tonight, 9 Oyster King, 2 Call Me Master, 6 Paschals Samore

BEST BET

Race 8 No 11 Calibre Crest

VALUE BET

Race 9 No 1 We’ve Got Tonight

BEST SWINGER

Race 3 5x6

BIPOT

R216

Leg 1: 1, 5, 8

Leg 2: 5, 6

Leg 3: 6, 7, 10, 11

Leg 4: 1, 6, 7

Leg 5: 5, 6, 9

Leg 6: 5

PLACE ACCUMULATOR

R192

Leg 1: 5, 6

Leg 2: 6, 7, 10, 11

Leg 3: 1, 7

Leg 4: 5, 6, 9

Leg 5: 5

Leg 6: 11

Leg 7: 1, 2, 6, 9

PICK 6

R1920

Leg 1: 3, 4, 6, 7, 10, 11

Leg 2: 1, 6, 7, 9

Leg 3: 5, 6, 9, 11

Leg 4: 3, 5, 6, 7

Leg 5: 11

Leg 6: 1, 2, 6, 8, 9

JACKPOT 1

R64

Leg 1: 1, 6, 7, 9

Leg 2: 5, 6, 9, 11

Leg 3: 3, 5, 6, 7

Leg 4: 11

JACKPOT 2

R80

Leg 1: 5, 6, 9, 11

Leg 2: 3, 5, 6, 7

Leg 3: 11

Leg 4: 1, 2, 6, 8, 9