David Thiselton

 

The Vaal straight course will have the standside rail brought in by ten metres, so the low number draws should have at least as much chance as the high numbers in the races down the straight and might be advantageous.

 

The headliner of the meeting is a Conditions Plate over 1400m and the Gr 1 winner Cosmic Speed is the one to beat. This will be his seasonal reappearance after a layoff of over five months, but the trip should be ideal for this miler who has also won a Gr 2 over 1400m and he is well treated at the weights. His Sean Tarry-trained stablemate Shadowfax is officially way out at the weights but is a promising sort who can bounce back from his disappointing run last time. Texas Red is ideally distance suited and if producing his best could earn, although he is 9,5kg under sufferance with Cosmic Speed. Those three should get punters through.

 

In the first leg of the Pick 6 Babette’s Feast has run two good races and over an ideal distance, she looks the horse to beat. Delaware River went close last time over 1450m and should also be right there. Nothing Compares could earn here if able to reproduce her best run. Lady Limoncello ran a good race last time over 1400m and also has a chance. Savara’s Princess has some good form and has to be respected too.

 

In the fifth race over 2000m Douglas Dragon is a consistent sort who is distance suited and carrying 52kg he is only 1kg under sufferance with the best weighted runner. However, he does have a wide draw of eight to overcome. Hotarubi has plenty of ability, but his attitude is in question and he cannot be relied on. However, if he is going to have an on day he does have a good opportunity here from a good draw over a suitable distance. Imperial Master should relish the step up in trip. He has a fair draw and should go close with a 1,5kg claimer aboard. Royal Edition is a bit in and out, but he can’t be ignored over an ideal trip from a plum draw. Flashy Apache is the joint best-weighted and from pole position should be in the shake up.

 

In the sixth race over 2000m Hazy Dazy looks full of promise and has scope for plenty of improvement. This tall filly is ideally distance suited and has a good draw. She looks to be the best bet on the card. Nkwenkwezi, Kissing Machine, and Cartagena all have the ability to challenge her. Arctic Silver in fine form too, but does have a four point merit-rated raise and a wide draw to overcome.

 

In the seventh race over 2000m Matcha Mint disappointed last time but is interesting tried over a step up in trip from pole position. Ethical is proven over this trip and should be right there from a good draw. Rejuvenated had some hard-knocking maiden form before getting off the mark when stepped up to 1800m on the poly at Hollywoodbets Greyville. She is interesting over a trip she should relish on pedigree. Pomozelous is not very consistent, but is distance suited and can’t be ignored. Hopscotch can do better than her last two starts and could earn.

 

In the eighth over 1700m Michael Faraday has the ability to beat this field over an ideal trip from a good draw. Scarlett Heart won easily in the maidens and starts off handicapping off a reasonable mark. Gamer is capable of earning from a fair draw. The Mightiest can earn if producing her best. Bob Lee Swagger has his third run after a layoff and can do better than last time.

 

In the tenth over 1200m She’s All Mine is in fine form and will go close. Peregrine Falcon won well last time and off a three point higher mark can earn again. Captain Efficient can be in the shake up if repeating his last start. Captain Selvie has the form to be a contender. Quiet Winter starts handicapping off a reasonable merit rating after an easy win in the maidens over 1160m and has to be considered.

 

In the first leg of the PA over 1400m Winds Of Grace is knocking on the door and has a good opportunity here. Al Greenga made a good debut and will go close with expected improvement. Onceinabluemoon has shown some ability and can earn here.

 

In the first race over 1400m Amandla Ngawethu and World Order should fight it out.

 

In the second race over 1400m Lance Alot and Tommy Atkins are the pair to beat and should get punters through the Bipot.