David Thiselton
A Graduation Plate over 1400m is the highlight of the meeting at the Vaal Classic track today and could see the three-year-old King Harald claiming a second career victory.
Gavin Lerena has jumped ship from Winds Of Change to ride King Harald who has been quite close to the like of all of Gr 2 winner Tin Pan Alley, dual Gr 1 winner Jan Van Goyen and Gr 2 winner Chronicle King in races from 1400m up to 1600m. He has a tricky draw of five out of seven and is officially 2kg under sufferance with Winds Of Change, but Gavin Lerena knows him well and he should make a bold bid. He should appreciate this step up to this trip. Winds Of Change was staying on over 1000m last time and although both of his wins were over 1160m, he did finish a 3,70 length fifth in a Grade 2 race the only time he went further than a sprint and that was over this 1400m trip. He could mow down the others in the finish from a wide draw of six out of seven. Paul Revere is way out at the weights but is drawn in pole, was 2,5kg under sufferance in the Grand Heritage when finishing just 4,50 lengths back, so could be in the shake up here. Clever Trevor is also way under sufferance but is on the up. I’m A Fireball is third best in at the weights but in his only try at a trip beyond a sprint, in the Gr 2 Golden Horseshoe, he was well beaten, although he did have a wide draw then and has a middle draw here on this more galloping track.
In the first leg of the P6 over 2400 females are at a weight advantage under the Classified Stakes conditions and the progressive Cartagena could thus be the one to beat under Craig Zackey, who is in sublime form. She does have a tricky draw of eight but possesses a good turn of foot so can make up the ground after being dropped out. Chabal has a very wide draw but is capable over this trip and will be ridden by in form Rachel Venniker, whose 1,5kg gender allowance will help him overcome being 3kg under sufferance with the best weighted. Arlington Action is also distance suited and is only 2kg under sufferance and he did beat Chabal when they last met over this trip. Mizzen Sword might be looking for this trip having won over 1800m before. Lava Lamp is the best weighted but was fatigued last time over 3200m when tailed off, so will likely come in freshened up. Party Punch is joint second best weighted and is 2kg better off with Cartagena for a 2,70 length beating, but she will need to confirm the form.
In the second leg over 2000m Palace Attack is a half-brother to Fire Attack and having shown promise up to 1700m he should relish this step up in trip and is well drawn. Diesel’s Shadow won well last time and if reproducing it off a five point higher mark from a good draw he could be a contender. Flashy Apache is always thereabouts and has a a fair draw over a suitable trip off a competitive mark. One More Star won well over this trip last time but does have a tough draw. Titans Of War has a tricky draw but has been in fair form and has Lerena up.
In the sixth race over 1200m Rockaroundtheclock has good formlines and can score a hattrick despite a five point raise for his latest win and even then he is officially 3,5kg under sufferance with the best weighted, so he will need to improve again. Gimmethegoodlife is in good form and can go close from a good draw with Venniker up. Black Egret can never be ignored and has a fair draw. Lead The Charge is in hard-knocking form but does have a tricky draw. The filly Salenio Peninsula is the best weighted and only has to carry 52,5kg so should make a bold bid under Keagan de Melo.
In the seventh over 1200m Esquevelle is in fine form and should be right there from a fair draw. Palace Revolt ran a cracker over this trip with first time blinkers and has a shout from a fair draw. Winston’s Wonder ran well first time out the maidens over 1450m but was not only given a two point raise but has also had a short layoff and now has a tough draw.
In the ninth over 1600m Aquarius won well in the maidens and can follow up. Kensal Green beat the same horse Aquarius beat in the maidens but did not do it as convincingly. Azaleas For All has been in good form and has some good form over this shorter trip than she’s been running over recently. Open Sesame is capable of improvement but does have a tough draw. Nkwenkwezi was not herself last time so has likely been freshened up and the shorter trip could help.
In the tenth race Global Impact could be the one to beat over a suitable trip.
In the first race over 200m Samuel Sharpe should relish the step up in trip and can win this uninspiring race from pole position.
In the second over 1200m Quickfreeze was just 5,75 lengths back in second behind the promising Tintin on debut and with expected improvement could be the one to beat here.
In the third over 1200m Anahita has shown ability and might well enjoy the step down in trip but does have a tough draw. Savara’s Princess has a fair draw and comes off a close up finish over 1500m, but has finished second over this distance too before. Gimmesumluv is by Gimmethegreenlight and is a half-sister to Gr 2 winner Second Base.
