It’s all systems go for Smith’s charge

As expected, Friday’s Fairview meeting has moved to the Polytrack due to further rain across the Eastern Cape.

It was probably anticipated by many of the trainers as only two runners have been withdrawn due to the change of surface.

Of course, while the change might not work for some horses for others it is like manna from heaven.

One of those will be Dean Smith-trained All Systems Go wo lines up in Race 5, a Novice Plate over 1200m.

The Gimmethegreenlight gelding has won only once in seven starts but has run some cracking races in defeat. All Systems Go attracted betting support and showed promise on debut when only finding in-form Greeff-trained The Roaring Rock too speedy.

Again, well backed second time out, and trying the Polytrack this time, he ran out a 4.25-length winner. That victory suggested that he was above average, and he was next seen when finding a very good filly, Golden Palm, far too strong for him on the day, but he in turn was clear of the rest of the field.

A trip to Gauteng to tackle the Group 2 Dingaans at Turffontein at the end of November was his next mission, and he was by no means disgraced when third to well-performed Trust. That particular run has been his best performance to date.

This year started for him with a defeat by Buffalo Bill at this track over 1400m. Again, he was beaten by a decent horse. All those runs were under Craig Zackey.

The three-year-old gelding did have two more runs this year and was well beaten twice at Turffontein, both times with Calvin Habib aboard.

All Systems Go returns from a break since March but is weighted to win this race, has Zackey back aboard him and returns to 1200m.

As usual, we have to respect any Alan Greeff-trained runners, and he saddles Ventura Boulevard. This two-year-old filly won on debut by 10.75 lengths in April over 1000m at Fairview.

The Heavenly Blue filly has only raced once since then, and that was when unplaced in a Grade 1 at Scottsville in May. Jockey Richard Fourie was aboard her on debut, while Sean Veale rode her second time out. Fourie returns for this ride.

 

Jack Milner’s selections

Race 1: 3 Eternal Spirit, 4 Nobody’s Perfect, 7 Seattle Glow, 5 Queen’s Away

Race 2: 1 Kaleesh Cyborg, 2 Made To Measure, 5 Gimmethegold, 4 Champagne Blaze

Race 3: 8 Jewel Mule, 9 Rock Up, 1 Here Comes Johnny, 2 Alesian Beau

Race 4: 3 Tintamarre, 2 Black Egret, 4 Imaginable, 1 Joker Man

Race 5: 1 All Systems Go, 8 Ventura Boulevard, 7 Clairwood Rose, 6 Arashi, 2 Can You Danse

Race 6: 7 New Day, 4 Wild Star, 5 Whirlybird, 1 Winteronthegreen

Race 7: 10 Amanatto, 9 Hospices De Beaune, 5 Fantine, 3 Rhydian

Race 8: 1 Oncidium, 5 Potenza, 9 Lana View, 8 Flower Festival

Race 9: 8 Osmium, 10 San Quintin, 17 Crepuscolo, 9 Terminal Velocity

 

BEST BET

Race 3: 8 Jewel Mule

VALUE BET

Race 9: 8 Osmium

BEST SWINGER

Race 5 1×8

 

BIPOT

R288

Leg 1: 1, 2, 4, 5

Leg 2: 8

Leg 3: 2, 3, 4

Leg 4: 1, 8

Leg 5: 4, 5, 7, 10

Leg 6: 5, 9, 10

 

PLACE ACCUMULATOR

R243

Leg 1: 8

Leg 2: 2, 3, 4

Leg 3: 1

Leg 4: 4, 5, 7

Leg 5: 5, 9, 10

Leg 6: 1, 5, 9

Leg 7: 8, 10, 17

 

PICK 6

R1920

Leg 1: 2, 3, 4

Leg 2: 1, 8

Leg 3: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8

Leg 4: 3, 5, 9, 10

Leg 5: 1, 5, 8, 9

Leg 6: 8, 9, 10, 17

 

JACKPOT 1

R160

Leg 1: 1, 8

Leg 2: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8

Leg 3: 3, 5, 9, 10

Leg 4: 1, 5, 8, 9

 

JACKPOT 2

R320

Leg 1: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8

Leg 2: 3, 5, 9, 10

Leg 3: 1, 5, 8, 9

Leg 4: 8, 9, 10, 17