Two bankers in Pick 6

MEGAPOOL: PRETTY PENNY, CHIMICHURI RUN LOOK HARD TO BEAT IN EXPECTED R2.5M POOL

Talktothestars’ merit rating has fallen markedly and he could be competitive in Race 7.

The Grade 3 Spring Spree Stakes was due to be run last weekend but because of a wet patch on the course caused by a leaking pipe, the race had to be postponed.

The R250,000 race over 1200m has now been scheduled to run tomorrow but despite the break of one week there is no reason why Chimichuri Run should still not prove hard to beat.

There is a Pick 6 MEGAPOOL at this meeting and with R500 000 kicking off the bet, the pool is estimated to reach R2.5 million.

Both Pretty Penny in Race 4 and Chimichuri Run in Race 7 look to be bankers so they should make this Pick 6 quite catchable. Banker the pair and load the other races.

The one concern about Chimichuri Run is he has only recently turned three but the manner in which he won the Grade 3 Umkhomazi Stakes over 1200m at Greyville in July still makes him a hard horse to beat.

Sean Tarry’s charge raced against the best of his age group as a two-year-old and notched up a record of two wins and three third placings from five runs.

In the Umkhomzi Stakes he was always up with pace and when S’manga Khumalo let him loose at the top of the straight Chimichuri Run certainly demonstrated that he could run, bursting clear of the opposition to beat Desolate Road by 4.75 lengths. He remains a banker in all bets.

Splendid Garden looks the horse likely to follow him home. Although seven-years-old Mike and Adam Azzie’s charge still enjoys his racing and did win his only run over the course and distance.

Another horse to consider for places is Talktothestars. He is a Grade 1 winner but lost his form. However, his merit rating, which was as high as 121, has dropped significantly and he is now racing off a rating of 107. He has not raced since March but if anywhere close to his best this seven-year-old will give them all a run for their money.

Another race that was called off last week is The Ladies Stakes (Non-Black Type) but in this case the nominations were reopened so you have a few new runners while some others have come out. Favourite for this race over 1200m was Pretty Penny who looked the filly to beat but she looked threatened by Vivir.

This time Vivir has been pulled out and that will make Alec Laird’s charge another good bet on the card.

The runner who has been introduced who could give some cheek is Frederico’s Dream but she might battle to give 6kg to Pretty Penny.