The Vaal has another sand meeting today in which punters will be put to the test over eight races.

The first is a workrider’ maiden plate over 1200m and Emerald Mackay will be hard to beat from pole position over the distance of his best run because on pedigree he should take well to the sand. Pera Hur ran well over course and distance last time and is well drawn this time so could be a threat. Buddy’s Falcon should be running on from behind late.

In the second over 1000m Rain In Africa has finished second in two sprints on turf, and being by Trippi should love the surface, although she has made a respiratory noise in both of her starts to date which is a concern. Windinmyhair ran on strongly in her only start on sand over 1000m, so has a chance from a fair draw with the astute Raymond Danielson aboard. The Berry Lady has pace and is interesting with first time blinkers and Gavin Lerena aboard.

In the third over 1000m Musical Romance will love the sand being by Trippi and the form of her good last run over course and distance has worked out well so she looks hard to beat in this uninspiring field. Relampago will love this course and distance on pedigree and is improving so could pose a threat. Tripadvisor might enjoy the drop back to this trip considering her breathing issues and could also be a threat with Piere Strydom up.

In the fourth over 1600m Il Duce is drawn well with Gavin Lerena up and has run well from 1200-1800m on the Vaal sand and turf behind some promising sorts so looks the one to beat, especially considering he still has scope for improvement in just his fifth career start. Windigo has run some fair races on the turf from 1200-2000m and being by Windrush should love this surface, although he does have a wide draw. Gaggle was green on the bend over course and distance on debut when running a fair race, so with natural improvement he will go close. Bank Manager faded on debut over 1400m after being handy and should be fitter and also improve for the experience. Bridegroom Bertie had a mouth injury last time but on his previous two turf runs has a chance here. Notorious can’t be ignored either.

In the fifth over 1600m Olympic Bolt found the 1450m too sharp last time and has a shout here over his optimum course and distance. Brad’s Surge was given the maximum eight point raise after his easy win over 1450m last time and is a big runner provided he settles as that cost him the last time he went the course and distance. Nero enjoys this course and distance and should be running on into the money off a lowered merit rating.

In the sixth over 1600m King And Empire ran on well for a good third over course and distance on sand debut despite stumbling at the start and has a big shout from a good draw with Fortune remaining aboard. Tora Tora has dropped to a competitive sand merit rating and with Strydom up over a suitable course and distance should be thereabouts. Kidmambo has run well in both sand starts to date so could earn again although he has a wide draw to overcome.

In the seventh over 1600m Embrasiatic finished with a mouth injury last time and is now 2,5kg better off for a three length defeat by Polar Secret over course and distance so she looks the one to beat. Escudo has stayed on well behind two useful sorts in her last two starts and is drawn well over a suitable trip. Polar Secret is eight points higher in the merit ratings since her last win but she did it comfortably and is unbeaten in two starts over course and distance so should go close again.

In the eighth over 1000m Just Africa is well regarded and this speedy sort did well last time against a horse who came out and won impressively again in a turf sprint, so he could get it right here. La Tasca is 1,5kg better off with him for a 1,9 length beating so will be a big threat. Proud As Punch looks likely to enjoy the step down in trip and should be running on strongly with Strydom up.

By David Thiselton

Picture: Piere Strydom