Two possible Pick 6 bankers
THERE ARE A FEW TRICKY RACES FACING PUNTERS AT TURFFONTEIN
Pistolero and Milla’s World are both promising and could get punters through in races 5 and 7.
The spectacle and perceived cruelty of a finish, with horses flat to the boards and the jockeys’ whips flying, is a reason given by quite a few people for not enjoying horseracing. The whip debate has raged on for decades and is likely to continue far into the future: jockeys will continue to use whips to encourage their mounts to run faster (after all, some horses are “lazy”) and to control unruly horses.
What most of our detractors don’t know is that horseracing is continually trying to improve itself, and the sticks we use nowadays are a far cry from the whips carried by jockeys a decade or so ago - one of the reasons the National Horseracing Authority (NHA) refers to it as a “crop”, not a “whip”.
In the past the whip had a flap at the end of a shaft and if you smacked your hand, you’d really feel the sting. There are specifications in the NHA’s rules about the length, diameter and weight of the crops we use nowadays, but the bottomline is that the contact area still has leather flaps, generally larger than the whips of old, and inside these flaps is a shockabsorbing sponge. If you hit your hand with one of these crops, it’s unbelievable how little pain you feel.
There are also rules about how often a jockey can strike a horse only three times on consecutive strides. Although it is not stated in the rules, jockeys have been charged for whip abuse if they slap a horse more than 16 times in a race - which I believe is too often. And raising the crop above shoulder height is forbidden.
I don’t agree with whipping a horse unnecessarily and use the crop sparingly but I’m not about to campaign for the crop to be outlawed: jockeys do need something to encourage their mounts and for control; racing fans need the reassurance that a horse is being given every chance to gain the best possible placing. And you can bet your bottom dollar that there’ll be more improvements in the future.
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Today’s meeting is on the Turffontein Inside track and, as normal, wide draws are a huge disadvantage. For that reason, in Race 1 - a work-riders’ race over 1450m - I’m leaning towards New Delhi, who is drawn at No 1. Her dangers could be Sketches Of Spain and Jay River.
A small field lines up in Race 2 over 1600m but it’s quite competitive. I’m leaning towards Wargames, Tiger’s Retreat and Bulleting Home. For the BiPot, you might have to include all three horses.
Race 3 over 1450m is the first leg of the Place Accumulator. It’s very tricky because these are young juvenile horses who are still learning the trade. What makes it even harder is that this race is around the turn and not one runner has run round a bend before. There are some unraced horses here but I’d lean towards the experienced. My first choice is Shotgun Rider with Just As Frisky and Tirzan looking the ones most likely to chase him home. But include as many as you can.
Race 4 is another Juvenile Plate and the same theories apply. So, once again, include as many as you can in the Place Accumulator, with my selections being Sweet Serenade, Miss Whitefire, Might As Well and Sunset In Seattle in that order. For the Pick 6, I’d suggest taking the field.
Race 5 is a Maiden Plate and my first choice has to be Pistolero. He’s only had one run and he finished second. He shortened in the betting on that occasion, raced on the same track as today and has now drawn in pole position. He could be Place Accumulator and Pick 6 banker. Those with doubts should back him up in Place Accumulators with Mr Rambo. For the Pick 6, you could consider Fangia, Captain Chips and In The Moment.
Punters are faced with another difficult puzzle in Race 6 because the field is not of high quality. For the Place Accumulator, Kinaan looks the one who could make most improvement but maybe include Arabian World, who is going over this type of distance for the first time. Pick another runner - your choice - and you could get through.
Pick 6 players should consider putting the field in their perms, but if you can’t afford it, the minimum would be Kinaan, Arabian World, Savage Wind, Premier Chance and Gentleman Jack.
As a handicap, Race 7 should be difficult but Milla’s World looks likely to win. He has won two of his three starts to date and is still improving. He’s raced on this track before and is drawn in pole position. Banker him in all bets. High Drama and Cockade are the horses to consider if you’re not convinced by Milla’s World.
Race 8 is a fillies and mares’ handicap - always difficult races. My first tip is Jin-Go-Lo-Ba. I’ve ridden her before and on both occasions she changed legs quite often. This sharp track, with its short straight, might not be suited. If you want to take a chance, banker her but I’d add in Grand Epoque, Elusive Spirit and River Run just in case Jin-Go-Lo-Ba does not handle the Inside track. For the Pick 6, you’d probably be wise to include Lexicon, who has the stable-elect jockey from the inform Sean Tarry yard up. If your pocket is deep enough, another to consider including is Chalcedony.
Race 9 is another difficult race. Some of my selections are not sure to stay the distance, which makes it even more difficult.
For the Place Accumulator include as many horses as possible starting off with Cumberland, Raise The Red, Silver Peg and Golden Man.
Pick 6's have to include as many as you can afford: field would be safest.