The withdrawal of Gauteng Guineas winner and SA Classic runner-up Safe Passage has made Red Saxon, who won the Grade 1 SA Classic over 1800m, the best weighted runner and the horse to beat. While his sire, Red Ray, was a sprinter his dam, Radio Sioux, had plenty staying power and had two wins over 2600m and ran third in the Gold Bowl over 3200m at Turffontein.
That will count strongly in his favour and could see trainer Joe Soma and jockey Julius Mariba team up for a second Grade 1 victory.
Tarry saddles two runners in Platinum Sky and Litigation but it is the latter who has really caught the eye in recent runs. This son of Greys Inn is getting stronger with every endeavour and could not have been more impressive when winning the Listed Derby Trial over 2000m by 3.50 length, giving weight all round.
He will have no issue with the distance and also has the services of Gavin Lerena.
There is also a lot of confidence emanating from the Paul Peter yard about the chances of London Roads who is clearly an out-and-out stayer. He has only raced four times and the manner in which he won his last two starts could not have been more impressive.
London Roads is badly out at the weights, but he is improving and could be a lot better than his rating. Warren Kennedy takes the ride.
Aragosta is another who disappointed badly last time but he too had issues during the running of the SA Classic. “He came back with discharge,” explained trainer Mike de Kock and if that does not trouble him this time, he must also come into the reckoning.
Jack Milner’s selections
Race 1: 1 High Flyby, 7 Shikoku, 2 Mayenne, 8 National Star
Race 2: 11 Free Wylie, 15 Equestrian Affair, 5 Alabaster, 16 Kuznetsov
Race 3: 1 Tierra Del Fuego, 3 Willow Express, 11 City By The Sea, 5 Irish Tractor
Race 4: 7 Captain Oupie, 9 Godswood, 5 True To Life, 1 Bohica
Race 5: 5 Mufasa, 8 Cleaver Greene, 3 Sound Of Warning, 2 Master Archie
Race 6: 1 Kommetdieding, 2 Al Muthana, 4 Bingwa, 3 MK’s Pride
Race 7: 1 Rain In Holland, 2 Clafoutis, 4 Princess Kesh, 6 Quiet Rebellion
Race 8: 1 Red Saxon, 5 Litigation, 7 London Roads, 2 Aragosta
Race 9: 3 Nebraas, 4 Green Haze, 6 Black Thorn, 5 Smoking Hot
Race 10: 7 Admiral Dooley, 5 Invincible Warrior, 6 Western Fort, 12 Banha Bridge
BEST BET
Race 6 No 1 Kommetdieding
VALUE BET
Race 3 No 1 Tierra Del Fuego
BEST SWINGER
Race 7 1×2
BIPOT
R256
Leg 1: 5, 11, 15, 16
Leg 2: 1, 3, 5, 11
Leg 3: 1, 5, 7, 9
Leg 4: 2, 3, 5, 8
Leg 5: 1
Leg 6: 1
PLACE ACCUMULATOR
R324
Leg 1: 1, 3, 5, 11
Leg 2: 5, 7, 9
Leg 3: 3, 5, 8
Leg 4: 1
Leg 5: 1
Leg 6: 1, 5, 7
Leg 7: 3, 4, 6
PICK 6
R1920
Leg 1: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9
Leg 2: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Leg 3: 1
Leg 4: 1
Leg 5: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7
Leg 6: 3, 4, 5, 6, 8
JACKPOT 1
R48
Leg 1: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Leg 2: 1
Leg 3: 1
Leg 4: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7
JACKPOT 2
R360
Leg 1: 1
Leg 2: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7
Leg 3: 3, 4, 5, 6, 8
Leg 4: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
