Equator chases another Pinnacle success

Jack Milner

Women are playing a far more substantial role in South African horse racing than ever before, and their contribution will be celebrated at Turffontein on Saturday.

We have more women trainers than ever before and many of them are becoming leading forces on the training logs. To celebrate the holiday, most of the races on the nine-race programme have been named after Highveld trainers.

The Equator has done well since moving to trainer Stuart Pettigrew and he will make his third appearance for the stable when he lines up in Race 4, a Pinnacle Stakes over 1800m.

He finished fifth in his first attempt and last time ran out a 0.80-length winner over Hawkbill over the same course and distance.

While the winning distance was not substantial, from the moment Philasande Mxoli hit the front, he never looked like losing. Mxoli is back in the saddle again and this beautifully bred some of Galileo looks set for another victory.

If there is a threat it is likely to come from King’s Express with Muzi Yeni in the irons.

The seven-year-old Pomodoro gelding is joint best weighted runner alongside Royal Invitation and few horses have benefitted more from the Yeni’s services. Together they have struck twice and finished outside the first four only once in seven starts, making this a partnership worth following.

The Fabian Habib-trained runner finished 1.70 lengths behind The Equator over the same course and distance last month and meets that rival on 0.5kg better terms. That alone may not be enough to reverse the placings, but the return of his preferred pilot could help bridge the gap.

Trainer Tony Peter also looks set to keep bookmakers honest and he could notch up a double in the two closing races. Peter sends out American Beauty in Race 8, a MR 9 Handicap over 1600m for fillies and mares.

Before her last start Peter intimated that she was a very decent filly and he was expecting a big run from her. She took the lead early in the race under Kabelo Matsunyane and never looked like relinquishing it, fighting on gamely when all the challengers tried to get passed her.

That race was over 1400m and she should do equally as well over the additional 200m. The track is hard and fast and that should benefit her running style.

The main threat is likely to come from Pettigrew-trained Into Dancing, who is chasing her third successive victory. Blaine Marx-Jacobson takes 1.5kg off her back and having ridden her three times for two wins and a second place, she should perform well once again.

Peter’s second standout comes in the closing 1400m handicap, where Bay Empire has strong claims of following up his recent victory at the same venue.

The Fire Away gelding scored convincingly over 1600m under Matsunyane 18 days ago and, although he shoulders a three-point penalty for that success, he remains favourably treated if reproducing that effort.

The drop to 1400m poses no obvious concern and another bold showing looks on the cards.

 

Jack Milner’s selections

Race 1: 10 Midnight Special, 4 Surreal Song, 1 Meghan’s Diamond, 7 Platinum Shay

Race 2: 6 Shining Sun, 2 From The Get Go, 1 Royale Jacket, 3 Seventh Fleet

Race 3: 7 Hot Choice, 1 Future Red, 2 Nicci’s Law, 5 Destiny’s Dream

Race 4: 1 The Equator, 2 King’s Express, 3 Palace Prince, 6 Fire ‘N Flames

Race 5: 4 Max The Magician, 6 Kudikaran, 11 Dante’s Bond, 8 African Prince

Race 6: 7 Secret Life, 4 Concordia, 1 Kortvandraad, 8 Eight Hats

Race 7: 6 Olympian Gold, 5 Ariovistus, 4 Trombolines, 9 Gran Canaria

Race 8: 2 American Beauty, 1 Into Dancing, 8 Hoc Est Vita, 4 Merryweather

Race 9: 5 Bay Empire, 8 Can’t Catch Me, 3 Michael Faraday, 4 Six Of All

 

BEST BET

Race 9: 5 Bay Empire

VALUE BET

Race 7: 6 Olympian Gold

BEST SWINGER

Race 4 1×2

 

BIPOT

R324

Leg 1: 2, 6

Leg 2: 1, 2, 7

Leg 3: 1, 2

Leg 4: 4, 6, 11

Leg 5: 1, 4, 7

Leg 6: 4, 5, 6

 

PLACE ACCUMULATOR

R108

Leg 1: 1, 7

Leg 2: 1

Leg 3: 4, 6

Leg 4: 1, 4, 7

Leg 5: 4, 5, 6

Leg 6: 1, 2, 8

Leg 7: 5

 

PICK 6

R800

Leg 1: 1, 2

Leg 2: 4, 5, 6, 8, 11

Leg 3: 1, 2, 4, 7, 8

Leg 4: 4, 5, 6, 9

Leg 5: 1, 2, 4, 8

Leg 6: 5

 

JACKPOT 1

R400

Leg 1: 4, 5, 6, 8, 11

Leg 2: 1, 2, 4, 7, 8

Leg 3: 4, 5, 6, 9

Leg 4: 1, 2, 4, 8

 

JACKPOT 2

R80

Leg 1: 1, 2, 4, 7, 8

Leg 2: 4, 5, 6, 9

Leg 3: 1, 2, 4, 8

Leg 4: 5