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.

Greyville Racecourse – Track Analysis (Champions Cup Day):

Greyville Racecourse is situated in the heart of Durban. In 1996 it became the first track in the country to install floodlights, enabling the course to stage night racing although this has been put on hold because of the pandemic.

This right-handed turf track is an undulating 2800m pear-shape oval. There is a downhill slope from the 2600m mark then uphill from the 2400m mark to the 1800m mark. Thereafter a gentle downward slope that rolls on for about 800m is followed by a sapping uphill section from the 800m mark into a 500m home straight, while still going slightly uphill, in all a testing final 600m or so that searches for genuine stamina.

Nine races will be simulcast from the Champions Cup Day: eight on the turf, one on the polytrack. For the featured G1 HKJC World Pool Champions Cup over 1800m, the field will have a short stretch run to the first turn, and the draw is simply critical, where stalls 2 to 6 are generally favourable. Horses drawing high numbers can find themselves in deep waters, as they may lose precious ground if they fail to grab the rail in time. The situation is similar for the 1,600m Thekwini Stakes and Premiers Champion Stakes, where the starting gate is positioned just behind the first turn. The 2000m Gold Bracelet also plays likewise to the 1800m trip, only that runners have an extra 200m stretch of the backside to wiggle before entering the first turn, thus even a bad draw is still manageable.

For the rest of the day’s undercard on turf, in The Debutante, the Umkhomazi Stakes and the Mercury Sprint, all over 1200m, wider draws are generally easier to overcome, even with the short stretch run, thanks to a sweeping final turn. Nonetheless, stall numbers 1 through 8 are still choice spots. Then, to the stout 3200m Greyville Gold Cup, long-acclaimed as South Africa’s premier stayers’ race, there is a 400m straight for the runners to travel before hitting the first turn. With the field size restricted to 15, and the customary slow early pace in deep routes, those drawing wide will find it less challenging as the race gradually pans out.

Moving to the 1000m Umngeni Handicap on the polytrack, stall assignment is immaterial but early pace is crucial. Quite often the early pace is too sharp and leaders may get swamped late.

Last year’s G1 Champions Cup contested on good ground over 1800m produced a thrilling result when Eric Sands-trained GOLDEN DUCAT got up to beat stablemate and 2YO older brother RAINBOW BRIDGE by a short head.

There has been little or no rain in July but the course will have been watered and the going confidently predicted to be good. The weather forecast on the day is for 22 degrees Celsius, similar conditions to last year.

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