Expert - Jack Milner

Veteran journalist Jack Milner has been involved in horseracing since 1972. From then on he followed the sport closely so in 2006 when he was offered the position with Phumelela Gaming & Leisure as Managing Editor of their Publishing Department, he jumped at the chance. He is also instrumental in sending tips and previews to international customers who subscribe to South African racing. Milner is known to be an astute studier of form who reads a race very well. He is one of the leading tipsters in the country where he has a big following. He has attended international events such as the English Derby and Oaks, Royal Ascot and the Melbourne Cup.

Expert Column for Champions Challenge Day (S1) (Jack Milner)

S1-1 S A Derby

The problem for punters in this race is that the class horses have not been tried over this 2,450m distance while the proven stayers have not shown to have the necessary class to win a G1 race.

In these cases class usually prevails and as result it could be worth going with SURCHARGE. He is the best handicapped runner and has a top jockey in Piere Strydom. There is some stamina on his dam’s side as she won a Listed race over 2,200m. Unfortunately he has not been blessed with the best of draws and this seems to be the case again and he will jump from barrier 10.

However, based on the form of both the G2 Gauteng Guineas over 1,600m and the G1 S A Classic over 1,800m, there is very little to choose between SURCHARGE, LIKE A PANTHER and NOBLE SECRET. SURCHARGE finished second in both of those races but in the G1 S A Classic LIKE A PANTHER was just 0.30 lengths behind him in third and NOBLE SECRET was only another 0.10 lengths back in fourth.

LIKE A PANTHER did not run in the G2 Gauteng Guineas but NOBLE SECRET finished fourth and again, was just one length behind SURCHARGE. Both LIKE A PANTHER and NOBLE SECRET are trained by Mike de Kock and this time it seems to have a slight preference for NOBLE SECRET who jumps from barrier 2 while LIKE A PANTHER is drawn in barrier 14.

One horse who could upset them all is MAJESTIC MAMBO. He started favourite in both the G2 Gauteng Guineas and the G1 S A Classic but ran poorly in the first event and then was badly interfered with in the second when starting to make his move. He dislodged jockey Anthony Delpech but fortunately the horse was not injured. His trainer, Paul Peter, has said his charge was putting in some good work and he has the benefit of having jockey Anton Marcus up on this occasion.

Marcus rode ROYAL CRUSADE into third place in the G2 Gauteng Guineas but his mount faded out in the G1 S A Classic and Marcus has decided to jump ship. However, Mike de Kock believes ROYAL CRUSADE will stay well and he could decent upset material.

SELECTIONS: 1. SURCHARGE, 3. NOBLE SECRET, 4. MAJESTIC MAMBO, 2. LIKE A PANTHER & 5. ROYAL CRUSADE

S1-2 Computaform Sprint

Champion trainer Sean Tarry has been going through some tough times but over the past month his stable has come back to form and he is starting to have fistfuls of winners. Over the years he has always had a good touch with sprinters and EXQUISITE TOUCH looks to be one of the best runners in the stable at the moment.

She has been very lightly raced and was obviously a late developer as it has only been in the last year that she has found her best form. Since March last year she has raced just five times for four wins and a short head second place in a comeback from a layoff. In her last start she was ridden with a lot of confidence by apprentice Lyle Hewitson who held her up and just produced at the right time, winning the race without really extending her. She has beaten the boys before and that was in the G3 event over 1,100m at this track. Hewitson rides again.

SERGEANT HARDY won the G1 Cape Flying Championship at Kenilworth in January but his race was made easier by a false start in which three main contenders could not be pulled up and were withdrawn. However, Justin Snaith’s charge is unbeaten in three starts over 1,000m and he could very well enjoy the fast Turffontein track.

Tarry also saddles TRIP TO HEAVEN who is one of the top sprinters in the country but has failed to win a G1 race so far. He does tend to lose ground at the start and that has cost him a few races. He will be turning seven in a few months and time is running out for him.

CHAMPAGNE HAZE seemed to be a 1,400m specialist but he suddenly appears to be enjoying racing over 1,000m. He recently won a G3 event over this course and distance and last time out finished second behind ROCKY VALLEY over 1,000m. CHAMPAGNE HAZE is 7lbs better off and should reverse the form although ROCKY VALLEY was only having his second run on the Highveld and could still have further room for improvement.

SELECTIONS: 14. EXQUISITE TOUCH, 1. SERGEANT HARDY, 3. TRIP TO HEAVEN, 4. CHAMPAGNE HAZE & 6. ROCKY VALLEY

S1-3 Champions Challenge

LEGAL EAGLE is the highest rated horse in the country. He has been a superstar in major races with 13 wins and seven places from 23 starts, eight of those wins coming in G1 races. He has been particularly good over 1,600m with nine wins from nine starts, but he did win the G1 S A Derby over 2,450m by three lengths in yielding going and also won this race two years ago, defeating stable companion FRENCH NAVY by two lengths.

However, over the last two years LEGAL EAGLE is starting to show some frailty in races over 2,000m, losing out to DEO JUVENTE in this race last year and going down in the G1 The Met three times over this distance at Kenilworth.

The key to his success is even when he has been beaten over this distance he has usually finished second, and in this year’s Met, ran into fourth. There are not many horses who can beat him and as is at least 9lbs better handicapped than any other runner he has a strong claim to regain the title he lost last year. According to Tarry, LEGAL EAGLE is very well and he is confident his charge will see out the distance. As usual, Anton Marcus is in the irons.

The horse who has been getting closer to him each time they meet is NOTHER RUSSIA. She finished third in this race last year and was only beaten 0.20 lengths while last month in the G1 Horse Chestnut Stakes over 1,600m she came within 0.25 lengths of ending LEGAL EAGLE’s flawless record over the mile. This will be her last start before going to stud and as Mike de Kock’s runner is very well liked by the racing public and would be a very popular winner.

Two years ago at this very meeting, ABASHIRI won the G1 S A Derby to claim the SA Triple Crown. He has not won a race since but trainer Mike Azzie says his charge is working superbly and he is expecting a very big run.

CORAL FEVER won a G2 event over this course and distance in his last start and he could well run into the placings. He is very consistent and is definitely a runner to include in exotic bet types.

FRENCH NAVY is getting on but Tarry says his charge is showing some of his old zest for racing. He has lived in the shadow of LEGAL EAGLE but FRENCH NAVY could well run into the places.

SELECTIONS: 1. LEGAL EAGLE, 9. NOTHER RUSSIA, 5. ABASHIRI, 3. CORAL FEVER & 7. FRENCH NAVY

HKJC shall not be required to give and does not give any warranty, whether express or implied, arising out of or in connection with the content or information. The Club disclaims any responsibility and accepts no liability (whether in tort, contract or otherwise) for any direct or indirect loss of damage arising from any inaccuracies, omission or typographical errors that may be contained therein. The Club also does not warrant the accuracy, completeness, timeliness or fitness for purpose of any such information.