Jack Milner: Vernichey appears to be regaining the form that saw her win her first three starts.
Grade 1 winner Vernichey was given a break after finishing unplaced in the Non-Black Type KZN Yearling Sale Million over 1300m in July.
Prior to that Gareth van Zyl’s charge had notched up three successive wins which culminated at the Grade 1 Allan Robertson Championship over 1200m at Scottsville.
She returned to racing last month and travelled up to Turffontein to contest the Listed Gardenia Stakes over 1000m. Considering it was her first run after a layoff and that she was taking on some well-performed fillies and mares, Vernichey did exceptionally well to finish a 0.75-length third behind Singforafa, with True To Life splitting the pair.
That run should have brought her on nicely and she could get back on a winning track when she lines up in the Non-Black Type African Holly Handicap over 1000m on the turf at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Sunday.
She is nicely drawn at No 3 and has Warren Kennedy back in the irons.
This race will be a stern test of her ability as she comes up against some very talented runners, and as this is a handicap, she will have to give weight to all but one runner.
That runner is her main danger and is one she will meet at level weights.
Traces has adapted nicely to racing around the turn at Greyville and has notched up two successive wins, both over 1000m, but one on the Polytrack and his latest on the turf.
Donovan Dillon rode him on that occasion, and he gets the ride once again for trainer Peter Muscutt.
Jack Milner’s selections
Race 1: 5 Global Glory, 6 Opening Shower, 2 Crimson Causeway, 4 Chief Executive
Race 2: 8 Mystic Master, 14 Mystery Boy, 9 Origami, 5 Master George
Race 3: 14 Shastina, 3 Mama Pyjama, 12 Bell Jar, 13 Fire Faerie
Race 4: 6 Sea Master, 7 Tread Swiftly, 9 Fight Song, 4 Shavout
Race 5: 4 Winter Chill, 2 Spydas Corner, 9 Bold Horizon, 7 Brazil Nut
Race 6: 7 Deep Thought, 5 Vivid Jet, 9 Dieci, 3 Wildly In Love
Race 7: 3 Vernichey, 5 Traces, 6 Hard To Play, 8 Great Shaka
Race 8: 3 Justfortheepenny, 5 King’s Crusade, 13 Admiral’s Guest, 11 Vitus Beiring
BET BET
Race 6 No 7 Deep Thought
VALUE BET
Race 4 No 6 Sea Master
BEST SWINGER
Race 5 2×4
BIPOT
R216
Leg 1: 2, 5, 6
Leg 2: 8, 9, 14
Leg 3: 3, 12, 14
Leg 4: 4, 6, 7, 9
Leg 5: 2, 4
Leg 6: 7
PLACE ACCUMULATOR
R216
Leg 1: 8, 14
Leg 2: 3, 12, 14
Leg 3: 6, 7, 9
Leg 4: 2, 4
Leg 5: 7
Leg 6: 3, 5
Leg 7: 3, 5, 13
PICK 6
R1600
Leg 1: 1, 3, 12, 13, 14
Leg 2: 1, 4, 6, 7, 9
Leg 3: 2, 4, 7, 9
Leg 4: 7
Leg 5: 3, 5, 6, 8
Leg 6: 3, 5, 11, 13
JACKPOT 1
R80
Leg 1: 1, 4, 6, 7, 9
Leg 2: 2, 4, 7, 9
Leg 3: 7
Leg 4: 3, 5, 6,
JACKPOT 2
R64
Leg 3: 2, 4, 7, 9
Leg 4: 7
Leg 5: 3, 5, 6, 8
Leg 6: 3, 5, 11, 13