Raffles looks a steal in Pick 6
BANKER: MUZI MAKES HIS MOUNT THE BEST BET ON THE CARD Value could lie with Pyromaniac in Race 6.
Last week saw the running of the first legs of the World Sports Betting Triple Crown and Wilgerbosdrift Triple Tiara respectively, and what a day it turned out to be. Eye Of The Prophet produced a careerbest effort to win the WSB Gauteng Guineas for Rachel Venniker and Paul Matchett. It was a thoroughly enjoyable race and one I’m sure all racing purists will remember.
Congrats to the owners, Mr Matchett and of course, Rachel, for the big-race win.
Lady Of Power won the Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng Fillies Guineas in superb fashion from the front under a remarkable ride from Piere Strydom who showed age is just a number.
Well done to Joe Soma who shows year-in and year-out he is one of the great trainers of our time.
A special mention to all the owners of the filly who are very close friends of mine and who deserve all the success they get.
I remember seeing this filly as a yearling and I told Gabriel Soma who bought her that she looked special, so it was easy to recommend her to friends of mine who were looking to buy a horse.
Well done to everyone and long may it continue.
On a personal note, it was a fair week for me being able to notch up four winners so I’ll be hoping to improve on that tally for this week.
Racing tomorrow takes place on the Turffontein Inside track where we have a ninerace card. We are finally back on this course after it had treatments done on it and it’s a beautiful track to ride on, so I’m excited to be back.
The headliner is Race 6, a Pinnacle Stakes over 1500m, which sees the likes of the Allied Steelrode Onamission Charity Mile winner Bingwa returning to the track to start off his season.
This race serves as a prep into the Hawaii Stakes coming up which in turn leads into the Grade 1 Horse Chestnut Stakes.
This race is backed up by another Pinnacle Stakes, but over 1800m, which means we get to continue the trend of seeing quality horses taking their places.
I have five carded rides and I really like the look of them so I will be hoping to have a winner or two and will be disappointed if I don’t.
Race 1 is a Maiden Plate for fillies and mares over 1200m and I think Heart Of Eternity will take all the beating. She ran a lovely race last time and even though she is drawn slightly wide, I feel she will enjoy the track.
Efficient Trader ran a far better race last time and rates the main danger.
Count Your Chances ran a good race last time and off a decent draw should run well.
Look To The Stars is another to consider.
Race 2 is a Maiden Plate over 1200m and I ride Dungeons. I think he will be in the money off a good draw. I believe the track will suit him and I’m expecting a decent effort.
I think Aussenkehr is the horse we all have to beat. He is having his first run for the Tony Peter stable and the Highveld might suit him.
Nazare is in good form and rates a definite danger and an inclusion in all bets.
Raptor Island is another who has some good form to his name and must be considered.
Race 3 is a Maiden Plate for fillies and mares over 2000m and I make this a race in two between my first choice, Broadlands, and the horse I make the danger, Island Beauty.
Both fillies have the class to win a race of this nature and the former gets the allowance of 1.5kg because of Rachel.
Island Beauty tries the trip and based on the way she races, should love it.
These two horses should get you through all bets.
Race 4 is a Maiden Plate over 2000m and I ride Destinationunknown who will have to improve drastically to feature.
Once again, I make this a race in two between Bronze Sword and Wonderworld. They are drawn Nos 1 and 2 respectively and have the best form in the race.
I think Bronze Sword will enjoy the step up in trip and he is having his third run after a rest so he will be cherry ripe.
These two horses will get you through all bets.
Race 5 is a Middle Stakes over 1200m. I ride Raffles and make him the best bet on the card.
This is a drop in class for him and he is drawn well, so should prove hard to beat. His work has been very good and as mentioned, I’ll be disappointed if he doesn’t win.
Lucy In The Sky is well weighted and could rate my danger as this is also a drop in class.
Fostinovo is well above average and off a handy weight should be there.
Race 6 is the headliner, a Pinnacle Stakes over 1500m, and my value bet on the card comes up in the form of Pyromaniac.
With the apprentice allowance off his back, he comes in with 51.5kg and is in really good form. I think he will take all the beating off a good draw.
Homely Girl returns after a rest but is drawn No 1 and must rate one of the main dangers.
Humdinger also has a very light weight and has to be respected big time.
Bingwa is the class horse in the race but he returns after a rest and will find it hard to give this amount of weight away, but this is a prep and he should be followed.
Race 7 is a Pinnacle Stakes over 1800m and I ride Light Of The Moon who is the best weighted horse by some way, and just on that she has to be a huge runner even though she returns after a break.
Her form prior to her last start was very good and I would be expecting a decent run at a big price.
Litigation looks the horse we have to beat if close to peak fitness, but he also returns after a small break.
Platinum Sky was slightly disappointing last time but is drawn No 1 and also gets the help of the claimer. If he produces his best form, he will be right there.
Flashy Apache is in good form and can be respected.
Race 8 is a MR 90 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1600m and I ride Cape Lights who won a lovely race last time out. I believe she is a lovely filly so I think she will take all the beating and could be a banker in smaller bets.
Strange Magic is well above average and rates the main danger off a good draw. Tulip Tree ran well last time and can be included into all bets.
These horses should get you through all bets.
Race 9 is a MR 72 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1600m and this is a wide-open race so try and go as wide as the budget allows.
My first choice is Light Of Day who gets the blinkers fitted and I think that can make all the difference.
National Star won a good race last time and comes into this race off a winnable rating so she rates the danger.
Just Be Nice and Bushveld both won very good races last time out and they must be included into all bets.
BEST BET
Race 5 No 1 Raffles
VALUE BET
Race 6 No 6 Pyromaniac
PICK 6
R720
Leg 1: 1, 2
Leg 2: 1
Leg 3: 6, 8, 9
Leg 4: 2, 3, 5, 6, 9
Leg 5: 6, 9
Leg 6: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12