Jack Milner
Constellation has run two good races without winning but the Mike and Mathew de Kock-trained runner is expected to get it right this time when he lines up in a Juvenile Plate over 1000m at the Vaal on Thursday.
The two-year-old son of What A Winter must clearly have been showing good work at home because he was sent out at odds of 15-10 to make a winning debut in the Listed TAB Storm Bird Stakes over 1000m at Turffontein on 1 March.
Constellation lost a length at the start in that race which inevitably cost him the race because he finished fourth, he was only 0.80 lengths behind winner Charming Cheetah, who went off at 66-1.
Nevertheless, in retrospect that was a very decent run because Charming Cheetah is one of the fancied runners for the Grade 1 Gold Medallion at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Saturday. Second in that race was One Fine Winter who is joint favourite for the Allan Robertson Championships for two-year-old fillies over 1200m at Scottsville on Saturday.
In his next start Constellation raced over 1000m on the Inside track around the turn and was caught late by Nyaka Nyaka. The pair will meet again this time but the De Kock runner will be 3kg better off for a 0.80-length defeat and should easily reverse the placings.
The form of that race has also been franked because third-placed Red Penny came out to win her next start.
It is also worth noting that both of Constellation’s runs were in yielding going and he looks sure to benefit from a firmer track this time. He will also be fitted with a tongue tie this time.
Callan Murray takes the ride for the first time.
Jack Milner’s selections
Race 1: 1 Brigham, 7 Art Nouveau, 2 Royal Miracle, 4 Alakanani
Race 2: 3 Constellation, 8 Anchorage, 1 Sylvan Warrior, 2 Nyaka Nyaka
Race 3: 18 Japanese Garden, 1 Desert Cloud, 11 Physiologus, 13 Al Greenga
Race 4: 2 Johnny Drama, 15 Time Will Tell, 1 Mizzen Sword, 8 Force Publique
Race 5: 2 Aladdin's Lamp, 9 Coppola, 6 Futurewolff, 3 Banha Bridge
Race 6: 4 Carnelo, 9 Viva De Janeiro, 2 Storm Ahead, 3 Instant Attraction,
Race 7: 6 Blind Ambition, 12 Last Car To Pass, 3 Cape Lights, 14 I Am Regal
Race 8: 2 King Of Numbers, 3 Paul Revere, 4 Dylan's Champ, 1 Fostinovo
Race 9: 15 Alone Time, 18 Walled Garden, 5 Twentytwentyvision, 2 Vegas Hi Rise
BEST BET
Race 2: 3 Constellation
VALUE BET
Race 8: 2 King Of Numbers
BEST SWINGER
Race 1 1x7
BIPOT
R360
Leg 1: 3
Leg 2: 1, 10, 11, 13, 18
Leg 3: 1, 2, 15
Leg 4: 2, 9
Leg 5: 2, 4, 9
Leg 6: 3, 6, 12, 14
PLACE ACCUMULATOR
R243
Leg 1: 1, 11, 18
Leg 2: 1, 2, 15
Leg 3: 2
Leg 4: 2, 4, 9
Leg 5: 3, 6, 12
Leg 6: 2, 3, 4
Leg 7: 15
PICK 6
R1920
Leg 1: 1, 2, 8, 15
Leg 2: 2, 9
Leg 3: 2, 3, 4, 9
Leg 4: 3, 6, 12, 14
Leg 5: 1, 2, 3, 4
Leg 6: 5, 15, 18
JACKPOT 1
R128
Leg 1: 2, 9
Leg 2: 2, 3, 4, 9
Leg 3: 3, 6, 12, 14
Leg 4: 1, 2, 3, 4
JACKPOT 2
R192
Leg 1: 2, 3, 4, 9
Leg 2: 3, 6, 12, 14
Leg 3: 1, 2, 3, 4
Leg 4: 5, 15, 18