Milton ticks all the boxes in the Boland Promotions Pinnacle Stakes at Kenilworth tomorrow and Billy Prestage’s admirably consistent five-year-old should win for the first time in almost a year.
He is officially the best horse in the race, he comes out top (admittedly by the narrowest of margins) at the weights and he has shown good class form this year – he beat all except Whisky Baron in the Peninsula Handicap when was receiving only 1.5kg from the subsequent Met winner.
Candice Robinson (hamish NIVEN Photography)
The one negative is that he seems to be marginally better over a furlong further even though he frequently makes the running. “I would have preferred 1 600m,” his trainer confirms. “But he is working well, I think he has an outstanding chance and I’m debating whether to send him to Durban.”
Perhaps the most intriguing of his seven rivals is Our Mate Art who was expected to challenge for the Guineas and Derby but chipped a splint bone when bumped in the Selangor and hasn’t been seen since. Potentially he is a fair bit better than his rating.
“He was out of work for quite a while after chipping that bone but he has been gelded and is doing really well,” says Candice Bass-Robinson. “I think he will run well too but he will need it a bit.”
The Selangor was 19 weeks ago, Turbulent Air has been off for 17 weeks and Dynamic for 15. Elevated is also expected to need the outing, Catkin won over the trip two races back but finished last on his most recent start. African Night Sky, who goes particularly well for Craig du Plooy, could prove a threat but, according to the handicappers, the hat-trick seeking Icon King has the worst chance of the eight.
Live Life faces a stiff task at the weights in the Golden Bulls Allowance Plate – China Pearl comes out her equal and Miranda Frost half a kilo better than either of them – but her own stable companion Extradite looks the biggest threat of all and may well beat her.
Sihle Cele’s mount was five lengths behind Live Life at levels in the CTS Sprint and receives 6kg here, theoretically evening out their respective chances. But it is Extradite who has had the better lead-up.
“Live Life had a break after the CTS and it has been a rushed preparation. I am throwing her in here for a gallop,” says Mrs Robinson. “Extradite, who always tries hard, is a bit more ready.”
By Michael Clower
