David Thiselton
A MR 87 Handicap over 2000m for fillies and mares is the headliner at the Vaal Classic track on Thursday and Frangipani could claim a hattrick.
The three-year-old Master Of My fate filly won her last start over 1800m going away under Muzi Yeni and in her previous start she had won over this trip by a comfortable two lengths under Calvin Habib. She has been highly tried during the season and running off a 90 merit rating, five points higher than in her last start, she could still be ahead of the handicapper. She has landed a plum draw of two and Calvin Habib is back aboard.
Art Nouvea can beat Frangipani on the evidence of formlines, but she is drawn one outside of her which could be a telling factor. However, if able to find a good position early she could be the one to beat.
Azaleas For All is half-a-kilogram better off with Frangipani for a 1,40 length beating if the 1,5kg claim of Mickaelle Michel is taken into account, otherwise she is 2kg better off. Gavin Lerena is up, which is a bonus, but she does have a tricky draw of six to overcome.
Surprise Party has a tough task with Azaleas All on their clash over 1800m in March and the latter also comes out ahead on the form of their recent clash over 2000m, in which she beat Azaleas All by 0,55 lengths. Surprise Party is drawn in pole though. She was outclassed in a Gr 3 last time, so should be in the shake up back in an ordinary handicap.
Lady Sabrina is an interesting runner because although this Erupt filly is out of a Captain Al mare, that mare is in turn out of a Galileo mare, so she might have the stamina capacity for this trip. She was eight lengths back in her only try at this trip more than a year ago, but she was only 2,30 lengths back when being tried over 1800m in August last year and she is from a yard known for their expertise in staying races.
Juliet Tango is a capable sort and has a comfortable win over 1800m at the Classic Track to her name. However, she does have a tough draw of nine out of nine and is the sort who needs things to go her way. Kaidan Brewer rides.
Those are the ones who make most appeal.
In the first leg of the Pick 6 over 1600m Duke Of Lorraine looks to have scope for improvement and from pole position this time his late run could put him in the winner’s enclosure, as opposed to him being a touch green and making late progress. Vixeninthevineyard rallied in eyecatching style over this trip last time when caught late and she came back for second place. That was the first time Calvin Habib had ridden this hard-knocking maiden and from another plum draw she should put in a bold bid. Crimson Ranger looks to have plenty of scope for improvement and should be running on over a suitable trip after being dropped out. Gavin Lerena will help him overcome a tough draw.
In the sixth race over 2000m the Vercingetorix filly Chariklo, who has improved since the blinkers were applied, will have a fine chance from pole position. On pedigree she should see it out, being out of a Jallad mare who won over 1600m and was placed over 2200m. Her form confirms that because last time she had to be used up early from a wide draw over 1700m and was caught one out and one back without cover and yet still stayed on to finish a close second. She has won over 1800m before too.
Her stablemate Be My Fate was narrowly behind her last time and also when the latter won over 1800m and she should be there again if able to overcome a wide draw.
Kylie’s Angel ran a fair race from a tricky draw last time over 1600m and the cheekpieces now go on. She sneaks into the handicap with the minimum weight, has a slightly better draw and is interesting stepped up to this trip for the first time being by Vercingetorix out of a Giant’s Cuaseway mare.
In the seventh over 2000m Last Ginger stays this trip and has come down the merit ratings based on runs over shorter, so she will be dangerous from a plum draw over this trip. Erik The Red two-year-old gelding Cover Charge is a half-brother to Gr 1 Daily News winner Surcharge, who went on to win a Gr 1 in Australia, and having won well when stepped up to 1800m last time he can go close stepped up again to 2000m off an 82 merit rating. Thambi is a bit in and out but from pole position over a suitable trip he could make his presence felt.
In the eighth over 1000m Twentytwentyvision is drawn higher than the number one drawn Hammer Blow and that could be the separating factor over a course and distance that favours high draws. Arilena could also be in the shake up.
In the last race over 1450m Lady Elliot is well drawn over a suitable trip and with Gavin Lerena up can convert her good recent form over this trip into a victory. Satyahraha gets Keagan de Melo up from a good draw and off a merit rating lowered another point she should go close. Pretty Analia has been in fine form with her devastating runs from off the pace and she should be flying at them late, although she would prefer further. .
In the third race over 1200m Two Tigers is knocking hard and from a fair draw is the one to beat.
In the second over 1200m Tenareef ran a cracker last time over this trip at Hollywoodbets Greyville and looks the one to beat. Mocha Magic is by Rafeef and is a half-brother to the dual Listed winner I Salute You, so is an interesting runner on debut with champion jockey elect Craig Zackey up.
In the first race over 1200m Rafeef’s Queen is the one to beat on form and Gavin Lerena can help her overcome a tricky draw. Pretty Girl is by Rafeef out of the Gr 1 winner Happy Archer and she is an interesting debutant under Zackey.
