Jack Milner
With three carryovers creating a likely R12-million Pick 6 pool, a R10-million Quartet pool and R100,000 kicking off the Pick 3 pool on Races 10, 11, and 12, there are so many opportunities for punters to make really good money at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday.
The Pick 6 is the big one and most bettors will be looking for a banker somewhere. There is no doubt the most popular will be brilliant Captain’s Ransom who runs in Race 8, the Grade 1 Brentford FC Garden Province Stakes over 1600m.
One runs out of superlatives when it comes to this filly with a record of 13 runs and 11 wins. Some detractors will point out that her worst run came in this race last year but, hey, we all have our off days.
But hers are very rare, and she is so well weighted she is impossible to oppose. The Justin Snaith-trained daughter of Captain Al has at least a 3.5kg advantage over the field, with Under Your Spell the next best-weighted runner.
However, Sean Tarry’s charge did finish 3.05 lengths behind Captain’s Ransom in the Grade 1 SA Fillies Sprint over 1200m at Scottsville, a race many felt would be too sharp for Snaith’s charge.
One advantage Under Your Spell may have this time is a better draw. She jumps from barrier No 3 with Captain’s Ransom at No 8, which is not always the best place to be over this distance.
Zarina caused the upset last year, but Captain’s Ransom has exacted her revenge twice since then.
The other key features are the Zulu Kingdom Explorer Golden Slipper and the Durban Golden Horseshoe, both Grade 2 races over 1400m for two-year-olds.
Paul Peter, who is leading the national trainer’s title, could come out on top in these two races where he saddles unbeaten Maharanee in the fillies’ event and another filly, Miss Cool, in the Golden Horseshoe.
Both will enjoy the distance, but Peter is concerned about the slightly wide draw for Maharanee, and the fact she can be a little temperamental at times. However, she is not short on ability and is the runner to beat.
If she does fluff her lines, then Tarry-trained Sweet Pepper will pick up the pieces. She is also unbeaten, has a Grade 1 victory to her name, is well drawn but is untried over further than 1400m. These two could get you through all bets.
The Golden Horseshoe is far more open and in this case Miss Cool, at 14-1 could provide some value. She has a good draw, gets weight from the colts and is looking for this distance.
But this race is open, with impressive last start winner Grinkov, stablemate Imposing, Prophet and Golden Prospect needing to be included.