Jack Milner: Trainer Stuart Pettigrew opted to pull Vars Vicky out of Tuesday’s meeting at the Vaal and has preferred to run his charge in Race 8 on the Inside track at Turffontein on Thursday, a MR 102 over 1200m.
It does not come as a surprise. The Vaal race was up the straight over 1400m while Thursday’s event is run around the turn, a track and trip over which Vars Vicky has won well.
The three-year-old gelding will jump from barrier No 1, which is like gold over this course and distance, and carries 56kg. Craig Zackey takes the ride and this son of Var looks the stand-out bet on the card.
Sean Tarry saddles four-year-old filly Spring Break, who looks the main threat to Vars Vicky. She won a Graduation Plate against the colts last time, beating Thumbs Up by 0.80 lengths over this course and distance,
However, Pettigrew’s younger runner looks to have lots more room for improvement.
After a narrow defeat in Cape Town to classy Silvano’s Pride in the Listed Victress Stakes over 1800m at Kenilworth, Heart Stwings takes her place in Race 3, a Progress Plate over 1800m.
Trained by Paul Peter, this Mambo In Seattle filly is well weighted and a third victory looks on the cards. Her last start was in the Paddock Stakes over 1800m, also at Kenilworth, but although she well beaten, that was a Grade 1 race and was won by Queen Supreme.
Gavin Lerena rode her on that occasion, and he has picked up the ride again in Joburg.
The only concern is how she handled all the travelling, and if she is in need of a local run, it could be worth adding Dorrie Sham-trained Shivers into the BiPot and Place Accumulator.
Peter could kick off the meeting in style as he sends out Miss Venezuela in Race 1, a Work Riders Maiden Plate 1450m for fillies and mares.
Phenisile Mongqawa takes the ride and the consistent filly, whose best performance was over this course and distance, can finally notch up her first victory.
It might be worth taking a double into Say When in Race 2, who also runs in a Maiden Plate for fillies and mares over 1450m. Johan Janse van Vuuren’s charge has been knocking at the door and has finished second in all three of her starts.
The daughter of Silvano ran over 1160m last time and should enjoy the extra distance. This looks another good ride for Lerena.
Jack Milner’s selection
Race 1: 7 Miss Venezuela, 1 Eskimo Pie, 3 Slightly Spanish, 5 Ra’Ed
Race 2: 1 Say When, 10 Golden Spoon, 2 Ms Flower Power, 5 Bright Eyed Girl
Race 3: 3 Heart Stwings, 1 Shivers, 4 Sidonie, 6 Netta
Race 4: 2 Ululate, 3 Kay Tee Perry, 5 Sparkling Water, 4 Fire Flower
Race 5: 1 Atomic Blonde, 7 Banha Bridge, 2 El Romiachi, 4 Illuminate
Race 6: 3 Crank It Up, 1 Elusive Force, 6 Namaqualand, 7 August Rain
Race 7: 6 Dubawi Princess, 4 Persica, 5 Rise As One, 12 Capitiana
Race 8: 6 Vars Vicky, 7 Spring Break, 5 Battleoftrafalgar, 4 Captain Hindsight
Race 9: 2 Governors Glory, 1 Romeo’s Magic, 3 In For A Penny, 5 Oyster King
BEST BET
Race 8 No 6 Vars Vicky
VALUE BET
Race 5 No 1 Atomic Blonde
BEST SWINGER
Race 3 1×3
BIPOT
R192
Leg 1: 1
Leg 2: 1, 3
Leg 3: 2, 3, 4, 5
Leg 4: 1, 2, 4, 7
Leg 5: 1, 3
Leg 6: 4, 5, 6
PLACE ACCUMULATOR
R216
Leg 1: 1, 3
Leg 2: 2, 3, 5
Leg 3: 1, 2, 7
Leg 4: 1, 3
Leg 5: 4, 5, 6
Leg 6: 6
Leg 7: 1, 2
PICK 6
R2400
Leg 1: 2, 3, 4, 5, 7
Leg 2: 1, 2, 4, 7, 8
Leg 3: 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 9
Leg 4: 4, 5, 6, 12
Leg 5: 6
Leg 6: 1, 2, 3, 5
JACKPOT 1
R120
Leg 1: 1, 2, 4, 7, 8
Leg 2: 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 9
Leg 3: 4, 5, 6, 12
Leg 4: 6
JACKPOT 2
R96
Leg 1: 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 9
Leg 2: 4, 5, 6, 12
Leg 3: 6
Leg 4: 1, 2, 3, 5
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