Jack Milner Racing express, also fancies Lucky and Striker
JACK MILNER - THE combination of jockey Piere Strydom and trainer ``Lucky’’ Houdalakis has proved somewhat successful and the duo could again provide some respite for punters on the Vaal turf on Wednesday.
They team up in three races and it comes as no surprise that they top bookmakers’ boards in opening betting, probably to the chagrin of Strydom in particular. Moan as he may, Strydom has a deserved following and the only bookie who would not eye his rides with caution is one with an insolvency wish.
Strydom has ridden Napoleon Street on four previous occasions and their best display came over 1400m at this track where they finished a 0.75-length third behind Royal Express. Race 3 is over 1600m and as long as he sees out the additional 200m, the Zimbabwean-bred gelding looks the one they all have to beat.
He is no champion, though, and I’m not sure I would be keen to take 16-10 about his chances.
Kickstart represents Strydom and Houdalakis in Race 4, a Novice Plate over 1600m. He has been priced up at 7-2. He won a Maiden Plate at this track with Strydom aboard and is probably at his best over this course and distance. However, Kickstart always finds something to beat him and there is no shortage of opposition in this line-up.
An interesting runner is Argentine import Cielo Dorado, who has joined Geoff Woodruff’s yard following three promising runs at Durbanville. He won over 1400m in his debut and then finished second to American Man and fourth to Red Rake over 1600m in his subsequent races. Andre Hoffman has been booked for the ride. He rides the work in the Woodruff yard and makes the most of his few good opportunities.
Brett Webber has always rated Mzingeli as something special and the Australian import will be equipped with blinkers for the first time. He has run second to two useful Woodruff inmates, Disa Leader and Norquinco, and could do so again.
Charles Laird sends out Australian-bred filly Majestic Legend. She showed her wellbeing with a 1.50-length second to Blue Nevada last time out. Based on the merit ratings, she is the best-weighted runner in the field and gives jockey Gavin Lerena a good opportunity to ride a winner.
Bernabeu has come well after a layoff from December to May, winning two of his four starts since. He is the third horse in the Houdalakis-Strydom arsenal and could provide the best value of the trio at his current price of 4-1. He takes a jump in class in Race 7, a MR 84 Handicap over 1400m, but with just 54kg to shoulder the six-year-old looks up to the task.
He beat Thunder effortlessly last time out over 1600m at Turffontein and the runner-up franked the form last Saturday with an even easier victory, despite a poor draw. Bernabeu has won over the course and distance so the Vaal track should not hold any great fears for him.
His chief danger appears to be the Ormond Ferraris-trained Solidarity, who has done well in his two runs since relocating from KwaZulu-Natal.
I was hoping to finally lead Gate Baron into the winner’s enclosure after the last race on the card, but Webber has informed me that the horse has injured himself and will have to be withdrawn.
That leaves the way open for Flintoff to score his second career victory. Trainer Brian Wiid confirmed that his horse is in with a big chance.
"He is a bit one paced and Gavin (Lerena) is going to have to keep him up with the pace from the off,’’ said Wiid.
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