Trainer Corne Spies has had great success when raiding KwaZulu-Natal. In fact, some of his most memorable wins have come in the region but in recent times it has become a refreshing oasis away from his home on the Highveld where winners have dried up for now.
He brings three runners to Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Sunday and all three have chances.
But his best is William Robertson, who will be going for his fourth win in a row, and if nothing has changed with him, he should have no problem adding the Marula Sprint (Race 7) to his tally. He rates the best bet on the card.
For the third time in three starts he is weighted to win, much to the chagrin of the locals, and after beating second-best weighted Pray For Rain by more than four lengths as well as the only Grade 1 winner in the race, Good Traveller, just prior makes him difficult to oppose.
Spies has placed him well and it won’t come as a surprise to see the son of Rafeef turn in a much better effort in this year’s running of the Grade 1 Golden Horse sprint later in the season. The horse had a tough prep last year, but Spies has this time allowed him more time to fall in love with the track.
Spies has Vathomvlaffie in Race 2 where she will take on males in this Maiden Plate over 1200m. She is also weighted to go well but she hasn’t been convincing of late and the extra distance is also a worry.
William Longsword gelding Heaven’s Will could be the right one in that race as he should be super fit having run 11 days prior and having run well in his first course-and-distance encounter. He was only run out of it late, beaten 4.40 lengths into fourth by Yannakis, Run To Rio and Captain Marsala – all hard-knocking individuals.
Jack Milner’s selections
Race 1: 4 Quid Pro Quo, 7 Fine One, 8 Ibhele, 9 Just Reckless
Race 2: 5 Heaven's Will, 6 Apex Predator, 7 Vathomvlaffie, 1 Summer Shade
Race 3: 1 Vihaan's Queen, 5 Havre De Grace, 7 Blue Horizon, 2 Sweeter Than Honey
Race 4: 5 Send Me, 3 Rock Of Bismantova, 8 Tibbott Bourke, 7 Imaginable
Race 5: 4 Ballroom Bliss, 1 Miss Gibson, 7 Lillybelle, 8 Bosnay
Race 6: 2 Harley Street, 5 Master Josh, 7 Eddie The Mover, 1 Shampompo Shampizi
Race 7: 2 William Robertson, 1 Good Traveller, 3 Pray For Rain, 8 Ultra Magnus
Race 8: 3 Inevitable, 6 Maggie Smith, 1 Chelsea Flower, 9 Shona Kirsty Yves
BEST BET
Race 7 No 2 William Robertson
VALUE BET
Race 8 No 3 Inevitable
BEST SWINGER
Race 2 5x6
BIPOT
R216
Leg 1: 4, 7, 8
Leg 2: 5, 6
Leg 3: 1, 5
Leg 4: 3, 5
Leg 5: 1, 4, 7
Leg 6: 2, 5, 7
PLACE ACCUMULATOR
R144
Leg 1: 5, 6
Leg 2: 1
Leg 3: 3, 5
Leg 4: 1, 4, 7
Leg 5: 2, 5, 7
Leg 6: 2
Leg 7: 1, 3, 6, 9
PICK 6
R2000
Leg 1: 1, 2, 4, 5, 7
Leg 2: 3, 5, 7, 8
Leg 3: 1, 4, 6, 7, 8
Leg 4: 1, 2, 5, 7
Leg 5: 2
Leg 6: 1, 2, 3, 6, 9
JACKPOT 1
R80
Leg 1: 3, 5, 7, 8
Leg 2: 1, 4, 6, 7, 8
Leg 3: 1, 2, 5, 7
Leg 4: 2
JACKPOT 2
R100
Leg 2: 1, 4, 6, 7, 8
Leg 3: 1, 2, 5, 7
Leg 4: 2
Leg 5: 1, 2, 3, 6, 9