Zackey can have a Gallic victory

While a number of jockeys have been declared for the Hollywoodbets Durban July, we are still all waiting to see is what ride our Champion Jockey in waiting, Craig Zackey, will be taking.

Zackey, who won last year’s HWB Durban July aboard The Real Prince for trainer Dean Kannemeyer, has, at the time of writing, ridden 253 winners and his 50-winner lead over Richard Fourie has guaranteed him the title.

The season ends on 31 July and Zackey has built up an unassailable lead.

One of his options has to be Viva’s Liberte for trainer Candice Bass. This three-year-old Vercingetorix gelding is owned by Lady Christine Laidlaw’s Khaya Stables as is the Real Prince, and Zackey is their regular rider. Viva’s Liberte is carded to carry 53kg which could be an issue for Zackey.

However, he could be in the mark with another runner owned by Khaya Stables on the Polytrack at Hollywoodbets Greyville today when he gets aboard Gallic Victor in Race 5, a Class 4 Handicap over 1400m.

Also by Vercingetorix, and trained by Kannemeyer, this three-year-old gelding is only a one-time winner but ironically, that was the only other time he has raced over 1400m. That race was in July last year and took place at HWB Scottsville.

He was gelded in February and since then his next four starts have resulted in three placed runs, two of those on the Polytrack.

Gallice Victor was tried in blinkers in his last start, a Class 4 Handicap over 1200m on the Polytrack, and he ran on well to finish a two-length fourth behind Black Frost. He will benefit from the extra 200m although the one concern is the No 9 draw, although it is not unsurmountable.

Jack Milner’s selections

 

Race 1: 3 Come Together, 7 Peach Melba, 1 Sierra Foxtrot, 4 Midnight Hour

Race 2: 1 Tiger Cody, 4 The Bidder, 3 Ubuntu Of Peace, 5 Levitator

Race 3: 7 Magical Sky, 2 Summer Winter, 4 Catch A Penny, 3 Tequila Sky

Race 4: 7 Green Commander, 9 Black Platina, 8 Captain T, 6 Let It Roll

Race 5: 9 Gallic Victor, 11 Tam’s Knight, 7 Blue Steel, 2 Red Bomber

Race 6: 4 Meeksha, 8 Hearts On Fire, 1 Lunch Money, 3 Green Mile

Race 7: 5 Mystique Rouge, 1 Lady Jean, 6 Princess Goldie, 4 Cherryblossompink

Race 8: 8 Poetic Princess, 2 Sun In My Pocket, 5 Acacia’s Blossom, 1 Take Your Place

 

BEST BET

Race 8: 8 Poetic Princess

VALUE BET

Race 6: 4 Meeksha

BEST SWINGER

Race 2 1×4

 

BIPOT

R324

Leg 1: 3, 7

Leg 2: 1, 4

Leg 3: 2, 4, 7

Leg 4: 7, 8, 9

Leg 5: 7, 9, 11

Leg 6: 1, 4, 8

 

PLACE ACCUMULATOR

R162

Leg 1: 1

Leg 2: 2, 4, 7

Leg 3: 7, 8, 9

Leg 4: 7, 9, 11

Leg 5: 1, 4, 8

Leg 6: 1, 5

Leg 7: 8

 

PICK 6

R1600

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

Leg 2: 6, 7, 8, 9

Leg 3: 2, 4, 7, 9, 11

Leg 4: 1, 3, 4, 8

Leg 5: 1, 4, 5, 6

Leg 6: 8

 

JACKPOT 1

R320

Leg 1: 6, 7, 8, 9

Leg 2: 2, 4, 7, 9, 11

Leg 3: 1, 3, 4, 8

Leg 4: 1, 4, 5, 6

 

JACKPOT 2

R80

Leg 1: 2, 4, 7, 9, 11

Leg 2: 1, 3, 4, 8

Leg 3: 1, 4, 5, 6

Leg 4: 8