Zackey to fire on Midnight Special

The Vaal stages an intriguing eight-race programme on Thursday and Craig Zackey could come away with another victory.

The Stuart Pettigrew yard has been firing in winners and there is every reason to expect that trend to continue in Race 2. Midnight Special shaped with considerable promise when runner-up on debut and looks the type to improve substantially for the experience. With Craig Zackey retaining the ride, this Fire Away filly rates one of the stronger propositions on the card and can go one better.

The meeting’s most compelling form horse is Bristol Hercules, who seeks to complete a hat-trick of wins in Race 4 over 1600m.

The Mike and Mathew de Kock-trained gelding has returned from a brief spell in excellent order, winning successive 1400m races at this venue. His latest success was particularly noteworthy, achieved under a penalty and against stronger opposition than he encounters here. Another ratings rise leaves him carrying a substantial 62kg, but the drop in class offsets much of that concern. The extra 200m is also a positive.

By Lancaster Bomber, Bristol Hercules has been finishing his races strongly and now returns to an ideal trip (over which he boasts a solid record) while reaching peak fitness. The generous prices of his last two victories are gone, but followers could still be rewarded with another winning performance under Callan Murray.

 

Jack Milner’s selections

Race 1: 7 Trompe L’Oeil, 8 Astrophile, 3 Corsaro Super, 9 Mulholland Drive

Race 2: 7 Midnight Special, 2 Caladrius, 10 Satisfied, 5 Indecent Obsession

Race 3: 3 Evening News, 2 Epidaurus, 8 Cover Charge, 5 Eratosthenes

Race 4: 1 Bristol Hercules, 2 Quickfreeze, 4 War Reporter, 7 Force Publique

Race 5: 10 Captain Cooper, 4 Aint No Doubt, 7 Golden Aspen, 14 Princess Lola

Race 6: 2 Warning Sound, 6 Russian Nobility, 1 Sonic Jet, 3 Fire In Her Soul

Race 7: 6 Beautiful Rania, 10 Master’s Rose, 3 Princess Ilaria, 4 Delaware River

Race 8: 3 Ready Set Fire, 1 Time Will Tell, 5 Oh My Gucci Girl, 7 Nkandla Gold

 

BEST BET

Race 2: 7 Midnight Special

VALUE BET

Race 5: 10 Captain Cooper

BEST SWINGER

Race 2 2×7

 

BIPOT

R243

Leg 1: 2, 7, 8

Leg 2: 7

Leg 3: 2, 3, 8

Leg 4: 1, 2, 4

Leg 5: 4, 7, 10

Leg 6: 1, 2, 6

 

PLACE ACCUMULATOR

R324

Leg 1: 7

Leg 2: 2, 3

Leg 3: 1, 2, 4

Leg 4: 4, 7, 10

Leg 5: 1, 2

Leg 6: 3, 6, 10

Leg 7: 1, 3, 5

 

PICK 6

R1920

Leg 1: 2, 3

Leg 2: 1, 2, 4, 7

Leg 3: 3, 4, 7, 10

Leg 4: 1, 2, 3, 6, 9

Leg 5: 3, 6, 10

Leg 6: 1, 3, 5, 7

 

JACKPOT 1

R240

Leg 1: 1, 2, 4, 7

Leg 2: 3, 4, 7, 10

Leg 3: 1, 2, 3, 6, 9

Leg 4: 3, 6, 10

 

JACKPOT 2

R240

Leg 1: 3, 4, 7, 10

Leg 2: 1, 2, 3, 6, 9

Leg 3: 3, 6, 10

Leg 4: 1, 3, 5, 7