Mercantour chases Poly Challenge consolation

The third and final leg of the Nelson Mandela Bay Poly Challenge over 1600m takes place at Fairview on Friday. Although only seven runners have been declared, it promises to be a cracking contest.

Last year, Alan Greeff-trained Mercantour won all three legs of the series, and he struck again in the second leg over 1400m last time out. Rival trainer Dean Smith captured the opening leg with his crack sprinter Cruise Control.

Mercantour has clearly taken to the Polytrack, with his record now reading eight wins from 11 starts on the surface, along with two second-place finishes and a third. He has also won his only other start over this course and distance.

Jockey Richard Fourie knows exactly how to get the best out of the Var gelding, having partnered him to three victories in five rides. Significantly, both defeats came on the turf.

Backing Mercantour is rarely a straightforward exercise, as his victories are often narrow and hard fought. His easiest win came by just 1.25 lengths, and that pattern continued last time when he beat All Systems Go by 0.25 lengths.

That was All Systems Go’s first defeat on the Polytrack, and from the tricky No 7, jockey Craig Zackey may have to adopt front-running tactics or settle in second behind stable companion Silvonian, who is a strong front-runner.

Silvonian steps up in class but has won two of his last four starts, including one over this course and distance. Greeff is also unlikely to rely solely on Mercantour, dependable as he is, with Fairy Knight and Guy Gibson capable of making their presence felt on their day.

 

Jack Milner’s selections

Race 1: 6 Trickle Charge, 8 Weekend In Aspen, 1 Bai Yulu, 5 Storm Ballet

Race 2: 9 Queen Of Castille, 1 Monkey’s Wedding, 2 Indestructable, 5 Gimmethegold

Race 3: 2 Scott’s Bar, 1 Capranica, 7 Taranaki Nomad, 4 Luca Da Wheels

Race 4: 6 Honorable Member, 1 Greek Heiress, 5 Casperita, 4 Desert Cloud

Race 5: 8 Winteronthegreen, 3 Blazing Flame, 4 Daffodil Delight, 2 Marketa

Race 6: 2 Stokesy, 7 Soundsofsymphonies, 4 Kwagga Blitz, 3 Champonelle

Race 7: 1 Mercantour, 3 All Systems Go, 4 Guy Gibson, 6 Ingqwele

Race 8: 3 Garden Sun, 1 Silvano’s Song, 7 Tori’s Girl, 6 Tori’s Girl

 

BEST BET

Race 1: 6 Trickle Charge

VALUE BET

Race 8: 3 Garden Sun

BEST SWINGER

Race 1 6×8

 

BIPOT

R216

Leg 1: 6

Leg 2: 1, 2, 9

Leg 3: 1, 2

Leg 4: 1, 5, 6

Leg 5: 2, 3, 4, 8

Leg 6: 2, 4, 7

 

PLACE ACCUMULATOR

R288

Leg 1: 1, 9

Leg 2: 1, 2

Leg 3: 1, 5, 6

Leg 4: 3, 4, 8

Leg 5: 2, 7

Leg 6: 1

Leg 7:  1, 3, 6, 7

 

PICK 6

R2160

Leg 1: 1, 2, 7

Leg 2: 1, 4, 5, 6

Leg 3: 2, 3, 4, 8, 9, 10

Leg 4: 2, 4, 7

Leg 5: 1, 3

Leg 6: 1, 3, 5, 6, 7

 

JACKPOT 1

R144

Leg 1: 1, 4, 5, 6

Leg 2: 2, 3, 4, 8, 9, 10

Leg 3: 2, 4, 7

Leg 4: 1, 3

 

JACKPOT 2

R180

Leg 1: 2, 3, 4, 8, 9, 10

Leg 2: 2, 4, 7

Leg 3: 1, 3

Leg 4: 1, 3, 5, 6, 7