The charismatic 7yo Milton is one of a string of less than ten horses trained by Milnerton veteran Bill Prestage.
The son of Lateral is also probably one of the best Mr Prestage has ever trained. He is one of 29 entries after first supplementary stage for the Sun Met to be run at Kenilworth on 26 January.
Flashback to Premier Trophy in 2017 – Milton pips Last Winter (Pic – Chase Liebenberg Photography)
The gelding is a not a major punter’s friend – last year he won the Premier Trophy when hanging on to deny current world traveller and subsequent Met runner up, Last Winter. Since then he has only earned a modest fourth cheque in his seven starts.
That was until Corne Orffer caught his opposition napping at his last start when rolling to a 4,25 length victory at level weights with July runner-up Made To Conquer – whom he takes on again.
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While that was a confidence booster, it remains to be seen whether Milton can repeat the trick at weight-for-age plus penalties at Kenilworth on Saturday against the likes of the supersmart Investec Cape Derby winner, Eyes Wide Open and Gr1 winner, Tap O’Noth. If he does, he may just go for the Met.
Top class Eyes Wide Open
Glen Kotzen-trained Dynasty colt Eyes Wide Open has only had three starts since his big classic strike and has not quite set the world alight. To be fair, he did run just 2 lengths off Captain America in the Champions Cup but failed to kick when possibly needing it and beaten 3,60 lengths by Green Point Stakes fourth -placer Rainbow Bridge giving 2kgs last time. But Eyes Wide Open is too classy to turn a blind eye to!
Supremely talented 2017 Cape Guineas winner Tap O’Noth made a respiratory noise when just under 2 lengths fourth to Rainbow Bridge in the Matchem. His top-class 3yo form in the KZN Champions Season suggests he be included in all bets.
Tap O’Noth wins Cape Guineas (Pic – Chase Liebenberg Photography)
Selangor winner Rocket Countdown is yet to win another race but put in a fair effort in the Gr1 Champions Cup at his penultimate start when 4 lengths off champion Captain America. He ran a decent enough pipe-opener last time when 3,40 lengths off Rainbow Bridge when conceding weight to the year younger star.
Platinum Prince stayed on for a fair third behind Rainbow Bridge in his first run as a 5yo. While placed in the Cup Trial, he could find no finish in the VDJ Consolation but may be better at home over this kind of trip.
Head Honcho – has won 5 of his last 6 starts
Vodacom Durban July Consolation winner Head Honcho came out firing after a three month rest to get the better of a late finishing Kapen Pride last time out. A winner of 5 of his last 6 starts, the son of Querari must be respected again.
The talented Made To Conquer was well beaten by Milton last time out but patently needed the run and looks set to improve again with a 1,5kg weight swing in his favour.
SP top-rated Eyes Wide Open is the class and he could be cutting them down late off the gallop set by Milton.
