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