Wings to beat at the Vaal

Jack Milner

Stuart Pettigrew does not have a big stable but the constant flow of winners from his yard is always impressive.

In fact, if one looks at his percentage of winners and placed runners from his yard for this season it is just below 47%, putting him in the top six on the Highveld as far as that statistic is concerned.

His reliability in that sphere of racing appears to have landed him another useful filly in the form of Beating Wings.

This three-year-old filly has raced three times, finishing third on debut and then notching up two successive victories.

She will be back in action at the Vaal on Thursday in Race 5, a MR 88 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1800m on the Classic track.

Her two wins have been over 1600m and 1400m respectively, so it is hardly surprising to see the daughter of Rafeef try further in her next start.

The Wilgerbosdrift Triple Tiara begins at Turffontein on Saturday, so Beating Wings is clearly not being aimed at the opening leg, the Grade 3 Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng Fillies Guineas over 1600m.

That is probably due to the fact that her current merit rating of 86 is not good enough to get her into the race.

However, one month later is the second leg and that is the jewel in the crown of the Triple Tiara, the Grade 1 SA Fillies Classic over 1800m, and it would come as no surprise to see Beating Wings being aimed at a race of that nature, or even Leg 3 which is the Grade 2 SA Oaks over 2450m.

Another win or two would certainly make her eligible to run in either of those races.

Her maiden win over 1600m was particularly impressive as she beat Sukhumvit by 2.25 lengths. The runner-up, who was making her debut, franked the form in no uncertain manner in her next start, romping to a 3.25-length victory.

Dropping in distance, Beating Wings gave further credence to her maiden win when defeating My Lady Soul by 0.75 lengths.

Once again, the strength of that form line was backed up when My Lady Soul, well backed in to start as the 11-10 favourite, came out to win well.

On the basis of all those runs Beating Wings stands out as the best bet on the card and a banker in all bets.

Although taking a slight rise in class tomorrow, Beating Wings will carry just 54kg and will be reunited with jockey Calvin Habib who rode her to both of her victories.  

Jack Milner’s selections

Race 1: 4 Gaelic Dancer, 2 Force Eight, 8 Willowild, 6 Radiant Heat

Race 2: 5 Ready Set Fire, 2 Fire Attack, 1 Cosmic Speed, 7 Sunset Riot

Race 3: 8 Kadizora, 2 Teo Torriatte, 7 Happy Mo, 3 Play With Fire

Race 4: 2 Atarime, 1 Green Garnet, 13 Battleofbarberton, 3 Master Christmas

Race 5: 7 Beating Wings, 2 Gimmealight, 9 Pretty In Pearls, 1 Alphabetty

Race 6: 2 Work Of Time, 5 Munchkin, 8 Viva De Janeiro, 11 Written In Stone

Race 7: 4 Runway Bomb, 8 Sigrid Swing, 7 Lucy In The Sky, 9 Alabama Anna

Race 8: 2 Law Of Success, 4 Lady Crusade, 9 Cerulean Dancer, 8 Gimme The Flame

BEST BET

Race 5 No 7 Beating Wings

VALUE BET

Race 6 No 2 Work Of Time

BEST SWINGER

Race 2 2x5

BIPOT

R288

Leg 1: 2, 4, 6, 8

Leg 2: 2, 5

Leg 3: 2, 7, 8

Leg 4: 1, 2, 13

Leg 5: 7

Leg 6: 2, 5, 8, 11

PLACE ACCUMULATOR

R216

Leg 1: 2, 5

Leg 2: 2, 8

Leg 3: 1, 2, 13

Leg 4: 7

Leg 5: 2, 5, 8

Leg 6: 4, 8

Leg 7: 2, 4, 9

PICK 6

R1920

Leg 1: 2, 3, 7, 8, 9

Leg 2: 1, 2, 3, 13

Leg 3: 7

Leg 4: 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 11

Leg 5: 4, 7, 8, 9

Leg 6: 2, 4, 8, 9

JACKPOT 1

R96

Leg 1: 1, 2, 3, 13

Leg 2: 7

Leg 3: 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 11

Leg 4: 4, 7, 8, 9

JACKPOT 2

R96

Leg 1: 7

Leg 2: 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 11

Leg 3: 4, 7, 8, 9

Leg 4: 2, 4, 8, 9