Bronx Bull could be one to follow

Jack Milner

It is always interesting to observe the level of improvement some horses attain as they move out of their juvenile careers and into their roles as three-year-olds.

The Classic races are always an attraction for these runners and not only because they carry the big stake money. Victories in these races can hugely increase a horse’s stud value, especially in fillies, and those colts who claim the Grade 1 events especially and are well bred themselves, often go on to become hugely valuable sires, such as Captain Al and One World.

One colt who will be in action at TAB Turffontein on Thursday is Tony Peter-trained The Bronx Bull. This son of Buffalo Bill Cody may not have had the most stellar of two-year-old careers, but he did contest a number of leading juvenile races and never embarrassed himself in any of them.

He won his maiden at the second time of asking and immediately went on to finish a 0.90-length second to Better Never Ends in the Grade 2 SA Nursery.

He also finished fourth in the Grade 3 Protea Stakes and the Grade 1 Gold Medallion over 1200m at Hollywoodbets Scottsville while his final race as a two-year-old came in the Grade 1 Premiers Champion Stakes over 1600m at HWB Greyville over 1600m in which he finished a 3.40-length sixth behind Erik Dubois.

The Bronx Bull makes his three-year-old debut in Race 5, a Progress Plate over 1450m on the Inside track and it will be interesting to see whether he is ready to be competitive in the stronger races this season. One would imagine that the Grade 2 Dingaans over 1600m on Betway Summer Cup day is one of his likely targets and while he might not be at his peaks, The Bronx Bull should be well enough to play a significant role in this event.

The fact he is still an entire is probably promising as any “defects” in his ability would surely see him off to the vet for some surgical removals.

Kabelo Matsunyane has been having a great season so far and he will be back aboard Peter’s charge. From No 4 draw and carrying just 53kg, The Bronx Bull should put up a good showing.

 

Jack Milner’s selections

Race 1: 6 Astrophile, 7 First Frost, 5 Nicci Beach, 3 Hattori Hanzo

Race 2: 1 Fire Force, 4 Jet Platino, 2 Comic Artist, 6 La Parisienne

Race 3: 6 Blunderbore, 10 Rank And File, 2 Uncle Bob, 7 Brave Eagle

Race 4: 11 Vision Of Gold, Purple Rain, 7 Polly Plummer, 1 Blooming Lovely

Race 5: 7 The Bronx Bull, 3 Radio Star, 6 Gallic Victor, 5 Pretty Persuasive

Race 6: 2 Mission To Mars, 1 Hotarubi, 6 Diwali Rocket, 7 Prince Of Kildare

Race 7: 6 Boundless Love, 4 War Reporter, 7 Industrialstrength, 10 Sunset Warrior

Race 8: 1 Disdain, 3 Kovil, 8 Commander Of All, 9 Hat Furious

 

BEST BET

Race 6: 2 Mission To Mars

VALUE BET

Race 7: 6 Boundless Love

BEST SWINGER

Race 3: 6×10

 

BIPOT

R80

Leg 1: 6

Leg 2: 1, 4

Leg 3: 6, 10

Leg 4: 1, 3, 7, 10, 11

Leg 5: 3, 5, 6, 7

Leg 6: 2

 

PLACE ACCUMULATOR

R144

Leg 1: 1, 4

Leg 2: 6

Leg 3: 1, 3, 7, 11

Leg 4: 3, 6, 7

Leg 5: 2

Leg 6: 4, 6, 7

Leg 7: 1, 3

 

PICK 6

R1152

Leg 1: 6, 10

Leg 2: 1, 3, 4, 7, 10, 11

Leg 3: 3, 5, 6, 7

Leg 4: 2

Leg 5: 4, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11

Leg 6: 1, 3, 8, 9

 

JACKPOT 1

R144

Leg 1: 1, 3, 4, 7, 10, 11

Leg 2: 3, 5, 6, 7

Leg 3: 2

Leg 4: 4, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11

 

JACKPOT 2

R96

Leg 1: 3, 5, 6, 7

Leg 2: 2

Leg 3: 4, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11

Leg 4: 1, 3, 8, 9