He has raced 10 times on the surface for five wins, one second, two thirds and a fourth place.

The five-year-old Visionaire gelding can extend that record even further when he contests Race 5 on Sunday, a MR 97 Handicap over 1600m. 

Remarkably, it his record over this distance in particular, that makes the Dennis Drier-trained runner so dangerous. He has raced four times over 1600m on the Polytrack for three wins and a fourth place.

Caliente does have to carry top weight of 60.5kg but he comes off a winning run over 1700m on this course against stronger and that should not be a concern.   

In addition, he is only carrying 0.5kg more than his main danger, Born To Perform, and giving 2kg to Williams Land.

Sean Veale has ridden Caliente to five of his victories and he is back on board again.

Born To Perform was fancied to win his comeback run after a rest last time but sadly, failed to perform. The vet was asked to examine him but nothing untoward was discovered.

It might just have been an off day, but it is interesting that Born To Perform will race in blinkers rather than pacifiers on Sunday. 

He will also prefer the extra 200m this time, and with Warren Kennedy up, this beautifully bred son of Silvano and Dancer’s Daughter cannot be written off.

Williams Land has won over 1700m on the Polytrack against weaker company. He did not run all that well in two subsequent runs over 1600m, but they were both on turf and Dean Kannemeyer’s charge is likely to prefer this distance back on the Poly.

 

Jack Milner’s selections

Race 1: 8 Umzinduzi, 5 Conchita, 7 Tostada, 12 It Must Be Love

Race 2: 2 Sarabi, 3 Colour Of Light, 6 Arianos Spinner, 5 Yaas

Race 3: 4 Racey Stacey, 8 Maxine Du Monde, 10 Flymefree, 9 Global Appeal

Race 4: 7 Jack’s Bird, 3 Dancing Feather, 2 Purple Persuasion, 6 Jackson Wells

Race 5: 5 Caliente, 6 Born To Perform, 8 Williams Land, 7 African Sunrise

Race 6: 6 Brazil Nut, 8 Di Mazzio, 2 Ziva La Winter, 10 So Var

Race 7: 11 Gentleman’s Wager, 6 Track Attack, 1 Dream Destiny, 12 Sunny Bill Du-Toy

Race 8: 7 Predator, 10 Whateverittakes, 6 Tilmeeth, 1 Rock With Me

 

BEST BET

Race 8 No 7 Predator

VALUE BET

Race 6 No 6 Brazil Nut

BEST SWINGER

Race 1 5×8

 

BIPOT

R216

Leg 1: 5, 8

leg 2: 2, 3, 6

Leg 3: 4, 8

Leg 4: 2, 3, 7

Leg 5: 5, 6

Leg 6: 2, 6, 8

PLACE ACCUMULATOR

R243

Leg 1: 2, 3, 6 

leg 2: 4

Leg 3: 2, 3, 7

Leg 4: 5, 6, 8

Leg 5: 2, 6, 8

Leg 6: 1, 6, 11

Leg 7: 7

 

PICK 6

R1200

Leg 1: 4, 8, 9, 10

leg 2: 1, 2, 3, 6, 7

Leg 3: 5, 6, 8

Leg 4: 2, 6, 8, 10, 12

Leg 5: 1, 6, 11, 12

Leg 6: 7

 

JACKPOT 1

R300

leg 1: 1, 2, 3, 6, 7

Leg 2: 5, 6, 8

Leg 3: 2, 6, 8, 10, 12

Leg 4: 1, 6, 11, 12

 

JACKPOT 2

R60

Leg 1: 5, 6, 8

Leg 2: 2, 6, 8, 10, 12

Leg 3: 1, 6, 11, 12

Leg 4: 7

 

   

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