Tricky look to Winter Series opener

Jack Milner

The first leg of the Highveld Winter Series kicks off at Turffontein on Sunday with the running of the Betway Secretariat Stakes (Non-Black Type) over 1400m.

The other two legs are the Egoli Mile (Non-Black Type) on Sunday 7 June and the final leg, the Grade 3 Sea Cottage Stakes over 1800m, on 5 July.

The series is open to three-year-olds and a bonus of R500,000 will be paid to the connections of any horse that can win all three legs.

With the scratching of Errol Flynn, nine runners are left in Race 7, and it looks to be a competitive event. Trainer Sean Tarry holds a strong hand with three runners while Mike and Mathew de Kock have two, and they look set to dominate this race.

The concern is that some of these are lightly raced and they could bring vast improvement into this race.

Tarry-trained Golden Operator has the proven form as he has won his last two since fitted with blinkers. The engagement of Craig Zackey for the ride speaks volumes and on paper, he is the runner to beat.

There is also lots to like about Fire Storm, another runner form the Tarry yard. Progressive, front-running, and thriving with a tongue-tie, he looks the one who could control the race and could prove hard to reel in.

Tarry’s third runner is Master Spy and he brings some decent form into the race but may find this trip too short these days.

But the value could lie with the De Kock pair of Ovation Star and Dawson’s Anvil, both by Rafeef and owned by Hollywood racing.

The former is a filly who won her maiden by six lengths and then finished a 0.70-length second behind Valentina Balducci in the Grade 3 Starling Stakes. That race was on 1 November so she has been out of action for 190 days and could need the run.

There was a lot to like about the manner in which Dawson’s Anvil won his maiden over this course and distance. He beat Milan’s World by 3.40 lengths after having been bumped at the start and suffering interference in running but he also has not run since 9 November and could have the same problem as his stable companion.

However, he is carded to carry just 54.5kg and although Callan Murray will be putting up 0.5kg overweight, he could pull off a victory.

De Kock-trained Jan Van Goyen makes his comeback in Race 4, a Pinnacle Stakes over 1800m, and he should make it a winning return. The Grade 1 Cape Guineas hero reappears as a gelding after a respectable fifth in the SA Classic and, crucially, drops into calmer waters on favourable terms.

He sets the benchmark on exposed form and, even allowing for ring rust, he won’t need to be at his peak to account for this field.

Jack Milner’s selections

Race 1: 3 Haute Couture, 8 Ruby Whisper, 4 Kwaito, 5 Prowler

Race 2: 2 Quevano, 7 The Reason, 9 The Name Of Dladla, 5 Night Skizzle

Race 3: 4 Master’s Rose, 6 Devious Looks, 9 Onward, 1 Nicolson Landing

Race 4: 1 Jan Van Goyen, 2 Pressonregardless, 3 Wild Intent, 4 Hawkbill

Race 5: 5 Grande Hawaii, 6 Griselda, 4 Flower Island, 9 Love Not War

Race 6: 6 Heath House, 5 Gimme Some Luck, 8 Prayersandpromises, 9 Viking Lass

Race 7: 10 Dawson’s Anvil, 4 Golden Operator, 5 Fire Storm, 1 King Harald

Race 8: 4 Money Heist, 9 Care Forgot, 1 Main Defender, 7 Yippee Kiyay

Race 9: 2 Diogenes, 7 Wayne, 6 Titans Of War, 8 Jordan

Race 10: 1 Zalatoris, 2 Karate Kid, 9 Season’s Greetings, 10 Pointer

BEST BET

Race 4: 1 Jan Van Goyen

VALUE BET

Race 7: 10 Dawson’s Anvil

BEST SWINGER

Race 6: 5×6

BIPOT

R288

Leg 1: 2, 7, 9

Leg 2: 1, 4, 6, 9

Leg 3: 1

Leg 4: 4, 5, 6

Leg 5: 5, 6

Leg 6: 1, 4, 5, 10

PLACE ACCUMULATOR

R243

Leg 1: 4, 6, 9

Leg 2: 1

Leg 3: 4, 5, 6

Leg 4: 6

Leg 5: 4, 5, 10

Leg 6: 1, 4, 9

Leg 7: 2, 6, 7

PICK 6

R800

Leg 1: 1

Leg 2: 1, 4, 5, 6, 9

Leg 3: 5, 6

Leg 4: 1, 4, 5, 7, 10

Leg 5: 1, 4, 7, 9

Leg 6: 2, 6, 7, 8

JACKPOT 1

R200

Leg 1: 1, 4, 5, 6, 9

Leg 2: 5, 6

Leg 3: 1, 4, 5, 7, 10

Leg 4: 1, 4, 7, 9

JACKPOT 2

R320

Leg 1: 1, 4, 5, 7, 10

Leg 2: 1, 4, 7, 9

Leg 3: 2, 6, 7, 8

Leg 4: 1, 2, 9, 10