Weekend runner comments

There is a betting bonanza this last Saturday of the month, loaded with opportunities to win big. The Cape Town Met headlines Cape Town’s race day of the year at Kenilworth and there are two mega TAB carryovers – a R2-million Pick 6 carryover, set to generate a total pool of some R10 million, and a R1-million Quartet carryover on the big race.

Saturday’s Cape meeting is also a World Pool event and TAB Win, Place, Exacta, Quinella (first two any order) and Swinger bets on Races 1 to 10 of 11 will be commingled into the Hong Kong Jockey Club’s huge pools.

What will appeal to many is that the Pick 6 may be easier to win than normal. Many pundits reckon See It Again is virtually unbeatable in the Met and if they are right, the Pick 6 is effectively a five-legged bet guaranteed to return an inflated payout because of the carryover. You can participate on the tote via the Betway portal and remember that Betway refunds your 6% tax on tote bets at month end.

Betway Ambassador Mike de Kock has two runners at the Cape Met meeting, both to line up in Race 10, the New Turf Carriers Western Cape Stayers over 3200m. He said: “Aragosta is well favoured at the weights. I don’t think it was Richard’s finest hour last time, but he knows the horse well and with a good draw he should go close. Black Thorn improved in his last start and should show more improvement now, he is a Quartet runner.”

Mike saddles nine runners at the Turffontein standside meeting on Sunday and commented, race by race:

Race 3, 1400m: “Tyrconnel is a tricky horse to train because he has been unsound. But he has a huge amount of ability, he is well at the moment and is a big runner. Mvelelo has patches of good form, but he is coming off a rest and will need the run. Our well-bred first-timer Forest God is doing quite well in his work but he needs the experience and he doesn’t show the pace at home to win over 1400m. He wants further. Battle Of Gergovia hasn’t beaten the course ambulance home in his two disappointing starts, we’re trying blinkers and hoping he’ll improve.”

Race 4, 1400m: Volare E Mambo made a good debut over 1400m recently. She was very green, but got going late and ran on. That was a work rider’s race, but she has improved for the run. She needs further than 1450m, but I won’t be surprised to see her in the money.”

Race 6, 1800m: “Shoemaker has been unlucky in terms of draws, those have affected his runs. He is 9-11 here, I suppose that’s better than 11-11 and he is in good shape, doing very well at home. He is better off at the weights with horses like Electric Gold. I think he’s a huge contender.”

Race 7, 2400: “We have three fillies here, starting with Bonete, who is bred for the distance. While her  siblings stayed very well as we know, there is a big question mark about whether she will see it out herself. She is a quality filly, I wouldn’t leave her out but only the race will show if she gets the trip. We’re not sure about Forgiveness and Spring In Heaven either, they may or may not be effective over ground. They are optimistic entries, rising in class, but at the bottom of the weights they can play a role. They are interesting runners, there is stamina in their pedigrees so I’d include them, too.”