Jack Milner (4Racing)
For a Monday card on the Polytrack at Hollywoodbets Greyville, there is some really good racing to start off the week.
One of the most interesting events comes up in Race 3, a MR 86 Handicap over 1800m where one could make a winning case for every one of the eight runners.
However, it could be worth sticking one’s neck out and go with Arumugam who does hold winning form against most of the other runners. The Peter Muscutt-trained son of Duke Of Marmalade looks have the edge over Sunday Island, Monarchy and Juan Carlos on their most recent meetings, and on collateral form with Juan Carlos, the four-year-old gelding should also hold Sea Master and Artic Tune.
However, in virtually all of these cases the margin of the weight turnarounds is very small and on that basis a bit of luck or bad luck, could swing this entire race.
Some people might feel that being drawn No 8 is not in Arumugam’s favour but over 1800m in a small field the draw is unlikely to play a major part.
Tristan Godden has ridden him five times for a win and three places and he will be aboard again this time.
Another runner to consider is Sea Master. The Carl Hewitson-trained gelding has decent form on the Polytrack, with two wins, four seconds and one third place from nine starts on the surface.
The five-year-old gelding finally ended an exasperating run of four successive second places last time when scoring a 0.50-length victory over Artic Tune over 1750m at Scottsville.
S’manga Khumalo rode him on that occasion, and he is back aboard this time. However, Sea Master does take on a stronger field this time so the son of Master Of My Fate will have to up his game to win this time.
Monarchy is an interesting runner as he does have winning form against Arumugam based on their penultimate run in the race won by Airways Law. When they met last time, Monarchy was coming back from a three-month rest and may have needed the run.
However, Michael Miller’s charge has been out again for a further 60 days so he could be in need of the run once again. Regular rider Serino Moodley will be in the irons.
Artic Tune is also in this line-up, and he will be 1kg better off with Sea Master for that 0.50-length beating last time. That brings Lorenzo Karriem’s charge firmly into the picture, but the one concern is that the Noble Tune gelding finished unplaced in his only run on the Polytrack.
However, he did suffer interference when a 2.25-length fifth behind Silver Falcon so perhaps Artic Tune needs to be given a second chance.
Calvin Habib takes the ride.
Jack Milner’s selections
Race 1: 9 Triptoroyalty, 10 Guest Getorixx, 1 Aleeyah’s Unicorn, 7 Mandalay
Race 2: 7 Adelante, 5 American Style, 6 Whispering Green, 4 Lady Is A Champ
Race 3: 8 Arumugam, 1 Monarchy, 3 Sea Master, 6 Artic Tune
Race 4: 5 Chanty Lane, 3 Sashay Away, 7 Purple Nkanyezi, 2 Meet At The George
Race 5: 6 Brandenburg, 7 Living Waters, 1 Fever, 2 A Whole New World
Race 6: 8 Looking Hot, 5 Kileigh’s Fate, 6 Faeezahs Princess, 9 Magicallee
Race 7: 5 Grey Ocean, 4 Esquevelle, 6 Let’s Get Together, 1 Mount Greylock
Race 8: 9 Edward Longshanks, 3 Phinda Mzala, 7 Gimme A Rainbow, 4 Stanley Park
BEST BET
Race 7 No 5 Grey Ocean
VALUE BET
Race 3 No 8 Arumugam
BEST SWINGER
Race 2 5×7
BIPOT
R288
Leg 1: 9, 10
Leg 2: 5, 7
Leg 3: 1, 3, 8
Leg 4: 2, 3, 5, 7
Leg 5: 1, 6, 7
Leg 6: 5, 8
PLACE ACCUMULATOR
R216
Leg 1: 5, 7
Leg 2: 1, 8
Leg 3: 3, 5, 7
Leg 4: 1, 6, 7
Leg 5: 5, 8
Leg 6: 5
Leg 7: 3, 7, 9
PICK 6
R1024
Leg 1: 1, 3, 6, 8
Leg 2: 2, 3, 5, 7
Leg 3: 1, 2, 6, 7
Leg 4: 5, 6, 8, 9
Leg 5: 5
Leg 6: 3, 4, 7, 9
JACKPOT 1
R64
Leg 2: 2, 3, 5, 7
Leg 3: 1, 2, 6, 7
Leg 4: 5, 6, 8, 9
Leg 5: 5
JACKPOT 2
R64
Leg 1: 1, 2, 6, 7
Leg 2: 5, 6, 8, 9
Leg 3: 5
Leg 4: 3, 4, 7, 9
PICTURE: GOLD CIRCLE
