Vaseem on a winning spree

To celebrate the occasion there is a Pick 6 carryover of R500,000 at the meeting with the pool expected to reach R3 million.

There is also a Quartet carryover of R100,000 to Race 9 with the pool expected to get up to R500,000.   

Only eight horses have been carded to go to post for the Spring Spree Stakes and while there are some talented runners in this line-up, not all of them are proven sprinters. Some trainers use these races to prepare their runners for bigger events to come.

One runner who does stand out in this field is Vaseem. This son of Vercingetorix looked useful early in his career but he has had his problems. However, since joining the Roy Magner stable in February this year, he has been a revelation.

He has only raced four times under the Magner banner, finishing second on debut, third in his subsequent start and then scoring two impressive victories. However, his merit rating had come down significantly over the past year and as he has started to win again that rating is obviously starting to creep up.

It will be interesting to see if he can retain his current form when he starts to come up against stronger opposition.  

Magner must have some plans for his charge later in the season so this race could be a good springboard for him. He carries just 55kg and will have Muzi Yeni in the irons for the first time.

Puerto Manzano is a very exciting prospect and big things are predicted for this Argentinian-bred gelding. He has raced six times for four wins and two seconds. He has won his last three starts but over 1600m and 1800m. One would assume that a race like the Grade 1 Summer Cup over 2000m at Turffontein later in the year could be on his calendar and Saturday’s race is just a pipe-opener.

Nevertheless, his debut win was over this course and distance and Puerto Manzano romped home by 5.50 lengths.

Gavin Lerena takes the ride on the Johan Janse van Vuuren-trained runner.  

Jack Milner’s selection

Race 1: 6 Buck’s Fizz, 3 Portrayal, 7 Caproni, 9 San Quintin

Race 2: 2 Silver Tycoon, 6 Safe Passage, 1 Wolffs World, 4 Sentbydestiny

Race 3: 2 Eastern Belle, 3 Coral Dawn, 7 Amicus Curiae, 4 Beltway

Race 4: 6 Zaviah, 2 Understated, 3 Royal Tiger, 1 Lyntys Legacy

Race 5: 4 Cap Estel, 3 Intercity, 1 Arizona Lady, 7 Zazu

Race 6: 3 Full Velocity, 5 Big Burn, 1 Thumbs Up, 8 Herstel

Race 7: 6 Vaseem, 5 Rapid Fire, 7 Visiway, 2 Puerto Manzano

Race 8: 5 Sound Of Summer, 1 Second Base, 2 Golden Pheasant, 3 Green Haze

Race 9: 1 Aurora Light, 3 Rozara, 9 Life Goes On, 2 Love Lies

BEST BET

Race 4 No 6 Zaviah

VALUE BET

Race 7 No 6 Vaseem

BEST SWINGER

Race 8 1×5

BIPOT

R216

Leg 1: 1, 2, 6

Leg 2: 2, 3

Leg 3: 6

Leg 4: 1, 3, 4

Leg 5: 1, 3, 5

Leg 6: 2, 5, 6, 7

PLACE ACCUMULATOR

R216

Leg 1: 2

Leg 2: 6

Leg 3: 1, 3, 4

Leg 4: 1, 3, 5

Leg 5: 2, 5, 6, 7

Leg 6: 1, 5

Leg 7: 1, 3, 9

PICK 6

R1200

Leg 1: 6

Leg 2: 1, 3, 4, 5, 7

Leg 3: 1, 3, 5

Leg 4: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8

Leg 5: 1, 5

Leg 6: 1, 2, 3, 4, 9

JACKPOT 1

R240

Leg 1: 1, 3, 4, 5, 7

Leg 2: 1, 3, 5

Leg 3: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8

Leg 4: 1, 5

JACKPOT 2

R240

Leg 1: 1, 3, 5

Leg 2: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8

Leg 3: 1, 5

Leg 4: 1, 2, 3, 4, 9