Do think thrice, it’s alright, for jockey Dillon

Donovan Dillon heads for Greyville on Wednesday with the unusual possibility of a 100% winning return from his three rides on the Polytrack. He did have four mounts at the meeting, but one – a long-shot – was scratched.

This leaves him with Queen Mercury, 15-10 ante-post favourite in the second race; Joshua Hotsnake, 3-1 favourite in the third, and What A Blast, a 5-1 shot in the ninth and on the shrewdies’ shortlist. 

A hard-working and solid rider, Dillon has not had the best start to the new season, registering just four wins in two months. He is due a change of fortune.

Dillon partnered Queen Mercury in her last run, her first in KwaZulu-Natal after a switch from trainer Andre Nel’s Cape Town yard. He employed front-running tactics to good effect at Scottsville, just running out of steam in the last strides and finishing second – the filly’s best showing of her brief career thus far.

Nel keeps faith with Dillon in Race 2 and the only question in the path of Queen Mercury being an odds-on chance is how she’ll perform on the all-weather surface.

In the next, Race 3, Dillon teams up with trainer Wendy Whitehead, with whom he has had a very successful partnership over the years. The horse is Joshua Hotsnake, who finished second under Dillon on debut 17 days ago.

Again, we are not sure how the three-year-old gelding will take to the Poly, but he showed a deal of speed in that outing over 1200m at Scottsville. He’ll be a lot more sussed about racing this time and the drop in distance to 1000m should ensure he stays focused throughout.

Dillon rounds off the day aboard What A Blast for Dennis Bosch.

This six-time winner has been backed into favouritism in his last three outings but has delivered only once. Last time, he was slowly away and never got on terms, so Dillon’s clearly defined task will be to have the six-year-old handy.

At least we know this one can handle the Polytrack – four of his victories have been on it.

SELECTIONS

Race 1:

11 One Bite At A Time, 2 Ladies Day, 8 Black Peppercorn, 10 Perfect Appeal

Race 2:

2 Queen Mercury, 5 Shield Maiden, 7 Scent Of A Woman, 3 Reginas Angel

Race 3:

6 Joshua Hotsnake, 11 Iron Bark, 4 Vegas Girl, 5 Ndaka

Race 4:

6 Quiz Master, 1 Cape Princess, 2 Stateofusa, 11 Fiery Duke

Race 5:

4 Duquesne Whistle, 1 Iqembulabesifazane, 7 Maxine Du Monde, 5 Luck Of The Iris

Race 6:

3 Indigo Moon, 6 Bell Jar, 9 Papillion, 2 Sea Eagle

Race 7:

6 Kingsmeads Krystl, 1 Royal Kitty, 11 Boogie Shoes, 4 Hamsa Grove

Race 8:

7 Knight Warrior, 5 Diedi, 3 Life Goes ON, 2 Da Capo

Race 9:

6 What A Blast, 10 Stanton Street, 1 Lesliespathtofame, 4 Samuel Salt

Pick 6:

6 x 1,4,7 x 2,3,6,9 x 1,4,6,11 x 1,2,3,4,5,7 x 1,4,6,10 (R1152)

PA:

4,6,11 x 6 x 4 x 3 x 6 x 3,5,7 x 6,10 (R18)