David Thiselton
The highest rated race at the Vaal Classic meeting today is a MR 96 Handicap over 1000m and Sosoru looks the one to beat.
This Vercingetorix gelding has fine gatespeed and natural pace and can be switched to whichever side is perceived to be favourable after likely jumping out in front. On this track the high draws are usually favourable and his draw of seven should be close enough to the outside going. His speed is not cheap as he has a fine kick too. He won by 4,75 lengths over 1160m last time in impressive style so his merit rating of 89, after a maximum raise of eight points, looks to be capped. His time in that last race was excellent if compared to other races on the same day. Callan Murray will be full of confidence at present having won a Gr 1 over the weekend and Sosoru should go close. Its Personal is a tall horse with a nice action and he won well in a good time over this trip last time, especially if considering he was slowly away. He should be in the shake up. Echo Check improved with cheekpieces on over 1160m last time. He looked to be headed to the top at one stage, but his string of below par runs have seen his merit rating coming down to a competitive mark. He led last time and was swamped late, so will enjoy the step down in trip.
In the first leg of the Pick 6 over 2400k Chabal has some useful form over this trip and he jumps from a plum draw of three. He is currently off a mark just two points higher than his last winning mark over this trip. Play With Fire stays 2000m and is interesting sent over a further trip as she is a resolute sort. Bold Action is not only by stamina influence Futura but is also a half-sister to El Rey Vienne, a William Longsword gelding who was once just two lengths back in the Highland Night Cup over 2400m. She should get the trip and she is currently off a competitive merit rating. She does have a tricky draw of ten though.
In the second leg of the Pick 6 Orange County jumps from a good draw over an Ideal 1800m trip and can bounce back. He is progressive and has Gavin Lerena up. Art Nouveau is always thereabouts and has a useful 1,5kg claimer up over a suitable trip. Page Boy has always struck as a progressive sort and can go well here.
in the sixth race over 1800m, a MR 66 handicap, Commander Of All’s last win was over 1700m so he should enjoy this trip and he is just three points higher than he was for that win in November last year. Rock My Boat starts handicapping off a reasonable mark and on pedigree looks likely to relish this trip, but he does have a tough draw. Crepuscolo makes appeal as one who enjoys the trip and he is just four points higher than his last win, which was over this trip, although his draw of eight is not easy.
The eighth race over 1000m could be won by the talented Catfish who has a fine record over 1000m in which he bumped an array of good horses and was not beaten by far. His merit rating of 87 looks more than reasonable and he is not only drawn in the right side but has the leading apprentice, the talented 2,5kg claimer Blaine Marx-Jacobson aboard. Blindfire relishes this course and distance and is drawn on the right side. Taking A Risk is drawn on the right side and this distance suited son of Fire Away has been knocking hard off this same mark and is drawn on the right side.
The ninth is over 1200m and Oriental Bouquet is in good form and has a nice high draw so could find the winner’s enclosure off a mark three points higher than her last win and with the in form Mickaelle Michel aboard, whose 1,5kg gender claim equates to the three point Oriental Bouquet has to find to match her previous winning performance. Belle Of Angelus drops to a lower class and from a good draw should have a chance, although she was beaten by both Oriental Bouquet and Spy Story when widely drawn on the Inside track last time. Daring Act should give a good account of himself in this lower class. Zoombomber has a high draw and should be right there. Kotinos will be a factor under Gavin Lerena if able to overcome a low draw.
In the third race over 1000m Staggerwing looks a racing certainty on formlines and is drawn on te right side too, although he does return from a short layoff.
In the second race over 1000m Tiger Magic ran a cracker on debut and from a good draw will be hard to beat under Gavin Lerena. Buffalo King Cody has a low draw which might make it tough, but he has a form chance if his last run is ignored.
Samuel Sharpe looks the one to beat in the first race with the 1,5kg gender claim of Savannah Valjalo being a bonus.
