Zatara to generate more magic

Jack Milner

Zatara Magic returned from a rest to claim his biggest victory, the Listed Algoa Cup over 2000m at Fairview on 31 October. He beat My Best Shot on that occasion and as we know that runner-up has a solid record on that track.

That was on the turf, Zatara Magic is set to line up on the Polytrack on Friday in Race 3, a Pinnacle Stakes over 2200m. But that should be no problem for Dean Smith’s runner as the six-year-old Rabada gelding is quite literally equally as good on both surfaces, having four wins on each.

He only got a 1.5kg penalty for his Algoa Cup victory but of course, this being a Stakes race that is of little importance.

Interestingly, his last run over the course and distance came in December last year, and if you believe that horses tend to run well at the same time each year, that is good news as Zatara Magic won that race by 3.25 lengths.

There will be a change of jockey, however, as Craig Zackey, who rode him to victory in the Algoa Cup, will not be travelling to the Eastern Cape for this meeting and Chad Little has picked up the ride for the first time.

That should not be of much concern because Little is currently in good form.

Perhaps the best bet on the card is in Race 2 where Amanatto lines up for Alan Greeff and Richard Fourie in this Maiden Plate over 1400m.

This well-bred filly has been a disappointment in that she has yet to win a race after 13 starts. She has been consistent since blinkers were applied and has a good rapport with Fourie, who has ridden her three time for a fifth place and two third-placed runs.

She is well drawn and should get the run of the race.

Jack Milner’s selections

Race 1: 11 Kentucky Lassie, 12 Rockie Blue, 3 Engelandpark, 1 Focal Point

Race 2: 11 Amanatto, 2 Miss Takes, 6 Mio Destino, 5 From The Hip

Race 3: 2 Zatara Magic, 6 Heemstede, 7 Richardthefearless, 3 Wecangoallnight

Race 4: 5 Pomerol, 7 Bretty, 6 Dancing In Winter, 8 Ice Cap

Race 5: 8 Gorgeous Cape, 1 Great Notion, 2 Jet Lavish, 3 Cherry Oh Baby

Race 6: 3 Silvonian, 5 Arlu, 10 Brooksider, 1 Whatever Next

Race 7: 4 Diamond Jim, 10 Teerex, 3 Ravilious, 7 Wissa's On Fire

Race 8: 3 Genovefa, 1 Hope Chest, 8 Just One Kiss, 2 Blowin In The Wind

BEST BET

Race 2: 11 Amanatto

VALUE BET

Race 5: 8 Gorgeous Cape

BEST SWINGER

Race 1 11x12

BIPOT 

R162

Leg 1: 11, 12

Leg 2: 11

Leg 3: 2, 6, 7

Leg 4: 5, 6, 7

Leg 5: 1, 2, 8

Leg 6: 3, 5, 10

PLACE ACCUMULATOR

R324

Leg 1: 11

Leg 2: 2, 6, 7

Leg 3: 5, 6, 7

Leg 4: 1, 8

Leg 5: 2, 5, 10

Leg 6: 4, 10

Leg 7: 1, 3, 8

PICK 6

R1728

Leg 1: 2, 3, 6, 7

Leg 2: 5, 6, 7, 8

Leg 3: 1, 2, 8

Leg 4: 1, 3, 5, 10

Leg 5: 3, 4, 10

Leg 6: 1, 3, 8

JACKPOT 1

R144

Leg 1: 5, 6, 7, 8

Leg 2: 1, 2, 8

Leg 3: 1, 3, 5, 10

Leg 4: 3, 4, 10

JACKPOT 2

R108

Leg 1: 1, 2, 8

Leg 2: 1, 3, 5, 10

Leg 3: 3, 4, 10

Leg 4: 1, 3, 8