Bettors to get corrupted at the Vaal

Jack Milner

If the form works out at the Vaal on Thursday, bettors could be in for a very good day.

It all could get going as early in Race 1 where Mike and Mathew de Kock kick off with two runners in this MR 90 Handicap over 2800m, Corrupt and Green Machine

Corrupt has always given the impression that he would be a useful stayer but seemed to go through a slight hiatus during the season. However, as is the case with many stayers, they tend to get stronger as they get older and this son of Erupt finished his four-year-old season with a double.

He was particularly impressive last time when winning over 2600m on the Turffontein Inside track, romping to a 3.30-length victory over Green Machine. Corrupt did get a 3kg penalty for that victory which should bring them a lot closer together, but he should nevertheless be good enough to confirm that form again.

Keagan de Melo rode Corrupt to victory last time and he has retained the ride as has Muzi Yeni aboard Green Machine.

However, it is another runner from the De Kock father-and-son team that could be the best bet on the card and that is Cool Gambler who lines up in Race 5, a Maiden Plate over 1200m. This son of Hawwaam comes from a really potent line as Dansili mare Espumanti is also the dam of 2025 Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng Guineas winner Spumante Dolce, winners Gin Fizz, Bucks Fizz, Champagne Cocktail, and in particular 2022 Durban July champion Sparkling Water.

Cool Gambler made his debut over 1160m at Turffontein on 7 March and was sent off favourite at 2-1. Unfortunately, not much went right for him and he was carried out and received a bump 150m from home but a decision was taken after that run to geld him which came to pass some 10 days later.

He gets a second chance on this occasion and while he might find this trip a touch too short, he could well have the class to win a race against this level of opposition.

Callan Murray takes the ride on this Hollywood Racing-owned four-year-old.

Jack Milner’s selection

Race 1: 2 Corrupt, 5 Green Machine, 3 Battleground, 6 Samuel Sharpe

Race 2: 2 Caladrius, 4 Sergeant Soqrat, 5 Jet Cat, 3 Phala Millions

Race 3: 2 Love Not War, 5 Iconic Winter, 1 Wings Of Kildra, 3 Ada Lovelace

Race 4: 4 Tempranillo, 2 Winter Rainfall, 3 She’s All Mine, 6 Jazz Pianist

Race 5: 8 Cool Gambler, 10 A Roman Twist, 5 Ain’t No Sunshine, 9 Smoking Gun

Race 6: 5 Korcula, 4 Twelfth Of Never, 1 Epidaurus, 7 Comic Artist

Race 7: 2 Repetition, 10 Nuclear Force, 8 Itsnowornever, 7 Rosy Lemon

Race 8: 3 One State, 4 Campo Formio, 10 Freestyle Dance, 8 Elisa Mbali

BEST BET

Race 5: 8 Cool Gambler

VALUE BET

Race 7: 2 Repetition

BEST SWINGER

Race 4 2×4

BIPOT

R24

Leg 1: 2, 5

Leg 2: 2

Leg 3: 1, 2, 5

Leg 4: 2, 4

Leg 5: 8

Leg 6: 4, 5

PLACE ACCUMULATOR

R80

Leg 1: 2

Leg 2: 2, 5

Leg 3: 2, 4

Leg 4: 8

Leg 5: 4, 5

Leg 6: 2, 4, 7, 8, 10

Leg 7: 3, 4

PICK 6

R1152

Leg 1: 1, 2, 3, 5

Leg 2: 2, 3, 4

Leg 3: 8

Leg 4: 1, 4, 5

Leg 5:1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 8, 10, 12

Leg 6: 3, 4, 8, 10

JACKPOT 1

R72

Leg 1: 2, 3, 4

Leg 2: 8

Leg 3: 1, 4, 5

Leg 4: 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 8, 10, 12

JACKPOT 2

R96

Leg 3: 8

Leg 4: 1, 4, 5

Leg 5: 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 8, 10, 12

Leg 6: 3, 4, 8, 10