CLAIRWOOD 27TH JUNE

It's the Durban season and time for me to crawl out of my cave with my usual lunatic selections.

Found what I think is a juicy option in the Derby :

When I went to the 2007 Vintage sale I wanted to buy a Saumarez colt as I like staying horses. There were three on offer. I latched on to Emperor 'n Napoleon but never got a look in as he sold for R300,000. My personal preference, however, was for Bachelor of Arts ( who sold for R30,000! ) as I remembered the mare as a solid performer. But 'expert opinion' advised me that he was a squib - so I regrettably backed off.

He is now a three time winner so racing rule #1 remains - buy what you fancy and to hell with 'experts'.

In my opinion this horse has quite a lot going for him :

He will like the distance.
Mike Bass is no mug and Fay d Herbe is up this time.
He is well drawn - absolutely critical at this course over this distance.
You can probably ignore the last PE run as he was drawn in East London and it was his first attempt going 'the other way around'.
He is my kind of price - 25/1.

I have taken a double with River Jetez in the July - it works out at 130/1. If it connects it is a telephone number.

I may cover my stake on the Laird favourite just before the off as he does represent the obvious likely winner. But how will 12/10 help me to win the big money? It's only good for insurance.

Robinson Crusoe to win the big one tomorrow...

A good week-end to all.

The Bass yard is of the opinion that a place is probably the best to hope for from the Bachelor but I'm with you on this one Garrick...a horse with loads of potential and as with betting on a horse, sometimes one just needs to go with "gut-feel" and be done with it!

Yeldah...Dan de Lago will be a tough nut to crack...but for the draw I would have ventured a few on In Writing.

My double for tomorrow though is Air Combat and Jet Tycoon.

Garrick,

Here's my tuppence worth,which unfortunately does not tally up to the same as yours.

I am under no illusion that I will be standing in line to collect in terms of this horse winning this race,but I am very confident that the 5,5-1 I got on Lizard's Desire the place represents huge value.I have backed it at 33-1 too,because that price was simply ridiculous.

This horse has been overlooked because it is a PE raider,but I can assure you that it was massively unlucky last time and it is quite some time since I have seen a horse find quite as much trouble as this one did.I have no doubt in my mind he would have finished in the 1st 3 in that race.

He has patently improved since gelding(although his sh beating by Big City Life in receipt of 2 kgs shows that he has ability anyway),and the way he won the EP Derby over this trip(the only horse in the field to have won over the trip)was very impressive.That race was not the usual rubbish PE bunch,and whilst I am under no illusion that he will win here as Dan De lago is clearly improving fast and Aslan could improve again,in my book he represents @ least an 8% chance of winning this race.20-1 is therefore still a standout price imo.

Good morning from a crispy cold Pretoria

Plenty short priced favs on the card today and looks like a good days racing at the garden course.

Noble Heir 2/1 shot with 33/10 on offer from Interbet
Space Captain 7/2 .......4/1
Goat 28/10.....4/1
Jet Tycoon 6/10.....13/20
Dan De Lago 12/10 ....13/10
Kororot Sop 18/10.....2/1

good punting!

scotia

Justanotherpunter,

I just love PE horses in KwazuluNatal! ( Is that because the centre is probably stronger than Durban??? lol )

Couple of years ago I collected a massive feature race ( nogal ) double when PE horses won the Gold Cup and supporting feature back-to-back.

My only reservation is that, from experience, they strangely seem to go better at Greyville.

Will watch ( and probably tickle up ) with interest. As they say - nobody ever went 'out' punting long shots.

Double:Mahubo/Catch me Cat

Good win from Brutus Maximus, looked beat, switched and ran on well, one to follow.

Blah Blah Blah

Not racing from Ngong so my day is stuffed.

Im going

Shaheen obviously on Jazzy Drum.

Big outsiders double for today - Bastille Belle x Lizards Desire = 320/1

R10 bucks wont hurt anyone

Have to laff, bet beat by a goat and a striker! Well done