David Thiselton

The Vaal Classic track has an eight race meeting today and the highest rated race is a Mr 97 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1800m which could be won by Doitwithdiamonds.

The Tony Peter-trained Silvano mare has not run in an ordinary race since early December when finishing a close second over this course and distance in a fillies and mares handicap. Furthermore, she was rated 100 for that race and is now rated 99. In her last three runs, the distance of 1450m was too sharp and she was out at the weights in a Conditions event in February, she was under sufferance and not well drawn in the Listed Acacia Stakes over 1600m in March and last time out in April she did well to be beaten just 2,90 lengths in the Gr 2 TAB Igugu Stakes over 2000m, because she was way under sufferance. She cracks a pole position draw in today’s race, although at time of writing the jockey was unknown. Avoontoast has won over this distance before and should have come on from her last run which followed a rest. Keagan de Melo rides from a good draw off a merit rating which is eight points higher than her highest winning mark, but she did finish a close second off a one point lower mark in her penultimate start. Juliet Tango is 3kg better off with Doitwithdiamonds for a 1,60 length beating just over a year ago over this distance, but Juliet Tango’s form has not been great since. However, she might have benefited from a layoff having not run for about five months. Mount Etna is in good form but has to overcome a five point raise for her last win. Free In Seattle has the form to be a contender if able to overcome a wide draw.

In the first leg of the Pick 6 over 1000m Master’s Lady should make a bold bid from a draw which is towards the right side i.e. a relatively high number. Princess Of All has just as good form but has the number one draw which is usually tricky.  Two-year-old Energia could be dangerous as she has faced top fields in her last two starts and hasn’t been disgraced.

In the second leg of the Pick 6 over 1000m Zoombomber could make a bold bid from draw seven of eleven. Tiger Storm should finish close to Zoombomber considering the form of when they last met. Sergeant Soqrat has not fared well in three starts in succession in KZN, but he has come down three points and has a 2,5kg claimer up too, while this is also the course and distance of his best recent run.

In the fifth, a MR 93 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1000m Mystical Miss is drawn on the right side and has the form to go close under in form Mickaelle Michel.  Executrix might relish the step down in trip and can’t be ignored. Vanakkam has plenty of speed and ability and should make a bold bid despite being drawn on the low side. Russian Nobility is drawn on the standside and has Craig Zackey up and she could bounce back from her disappointing  second career start having won nicely on debut. Just The Two Of Us beat Vanakkam when they last met, but she is now four points higher and has the potentially unfavourable number one draw.

In the sixth over 1000m Lovable should appreciate the step down in trip and should make a bold bid. Eight Hats ran a cracker last time and should be right there. Blindfire enjoys this course and distance and is drawn in the middle. Jazz Pianist has come down to a competitive merit rating and could be in the shake up. Wings Of Kildra should finish on top of Jazz Pianist on form.

In the eighth race over 1800m Rosy Lemon usually does well in fillies and mares handicaps and can go close here from a good draw over an ideal trip under Serino Moodley. Craig Zackey is aboard Arctic Silver who has a wide draw to overcome but has the form to go close. Kortvandraad is interesting stepped up in trip being by Erupt and she can do well from a plum draw under Mickaelle Michel. Apostrophe is also capable of doing well if able to overcome a wide draw. Play With Fire is always capable of popping up.

In the second over 1600m What A Warrior is well regarded and should make a bold bid over a suitable trip from pole position. Doesyourmotherknow won a fine race last time and should also enjoy this trip, although she does have a tricky draw. Dear Doc should also be in the shake up.

In the first over 1000m Periodic Table should be hard to beat and the good work rider Phenisile Mongqawa rides.