Zackey looks set for another ‘Lucky’ winner

Some open looking races dominate the card at the Vaal on Tuesday and trainer Lucky Houdalakis has three runners in Race 6, a MR 94 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1400m.

Jockey Craig Zackey has tended to be the go-to rider for Houdalakis and filly Ringa Ringa Roses looks the one to beat.

This Louis The King filly has won twice in just seven starts, with both of those wins coming over 1450m on the Turffontein Inside track. Her only unplaced run was on debut and she has improved tremendously since then.

Zackey has ridden her three times and was aboard her for her first win and when third last time out in a MR 86 Handicap for fillies and mares.

Her stable companions are also in with a shot at winning. Fire In Her Soul has won two of her last five starts but is returning from a break.

Wise Counsel showed promise last year and clearly needed her comeback run so could surprise. Houdalakis had a fourth runner carded for this race but Miss Novax has been scratched.

There are some others that have to be considered. Paris Fun returns from a short break but was a solid winner last time out and could carry a penalty to victory. Lady Sabrina was not disgraced in her latest start and must be respected.

Moving on to Race 7, a MR 76 Handicap for fillies and mares, Sean Tarry-trained Greenandgold is likely to go off a popular favourite.

The filly cost R2.6 million as a yearling but took three starts to get a first success. But now that she is improving, her opening handicap mark may allow a couple of successes to follow.

The Gimmethegreenlight filly has had Keagan de Melo aboard for all three of her starts so he knows how to ride her and she should have no problems with this course and distance.

However, the value could be with Fanie Bronkhorst-trained Southampton who has done well since moving up from the Western Cape.

This Twice Over filly has had four races on the Highveld for a win on debut and two third places in her last two starts.

She once again gets the benefit of a 2.5kg apprentice claim of Jacey Botes and should be highly competitive.

Jack Milner’s selections

Race 1: 5 Impressive, 3 Lucky Awesome, 7 Life’s Treasures, 4 War Dog

Race 2: 2 Gimmesumluv, 4 Cool Reggae, 6 Regal Queen, 1 Sapphire Sun

Race 3: 3 Rendevous In Rio, 1 Destiny’s Dream, 2 Brigitte Anne, 6 Vindolanda

Race 4: 11 Sands Of Valhalla, 7 Periodic Table, 8 Captain Cooper, 1 Highwayman Harry

Race 5: 1 Romilly, 10 Geostorm, 2 Russian Nobility, 13 Plumbago Park

Race 6: 3 Ringa Ringa Roses, 2 Fire In Her Soul, 7 Paris Fun, 5 Wise Counsel

Race 7: 8 Southampton, 7 Greenandgold, 2 Shivering Light, 4 Utsaah

BEST BET

Race 2: 2 Gimmesumluv

VALUE BET

Race 3: 3 Rendevous In Rio

BEST SWINGER

Race 4 7×11

BIPOT

R72

Leg 1: 3, 5

Leg 2: 2

Leg 3: 1, 2, 3

Leg 4: 7, 11

Leg 5: 1, 2, 10

Leg 6: 2, 3

PLACE ACCUMULATOR

R108

Leg 1: 5

Leg 2: 2

Leg 3: 1, 2, 3

Leg 4: 7, 8, 11

Leg 5: 1, 10

Leg 6: 2, 3

Leg 7: 2, 7, 8

PICK 6

R648

Leg 1: 2

Leg 2: 1, 2, 3

Leg 3: 7, 8, 11

Leg 4: 1, 2, 10, 13

Leg 5: 2, 3, 5, 7

Leg 6: 2, 7, 8

JACKPOT 1

R216

Leg 1: 1, 2, 3

Leg 2: 7, 8, 11

Leg 3: 1, 2, 10, 13

Leg 4: 2, 3, 5, 7

JACKPOT 2

R216

Leg 1: 7, 8, 11

Leg 2: 1, 2, 10, 13

Leg 3: 2, 3, 5, 7

Leg 4: 2, 7, 8