The Vaal Sand track hosts an eight race meeting today and will provide opportunities for those punters who have done their homework.
In the first, a Workrider’s Maiden over 1000m, Racing Red relished the step down to this trip last time and put up a fine display against a promising sort so is an obvious form choice.
Captain Ali is a six-year-old who has only had three starts but he has shown pace and could earn here. Gold Comet has a suitable sand pedigree and has shown the odd sign of ability so could earn despite being an exposed sort having his 19th start. Victor’s Folly has faced a couple of talented sorts in his last two starts over course and distance when well beaten but could earn on the form of his previous start which was against a similar field to this. Boogaloo has some pace and should have come on from his first two starts.
In the second over 1200m, Son Of Approval is interesting dropped in distance from a good draw off a decreased merit rating as he has won twice over course and distance before. Aleut made a good debut over course and distance before winning his second start easily on turf and he can be excused his last start when up against a good sort because his saddle slipped. Fleetfoot Mac did quite well in his first sand start in his penultimate start over course and distance despite stumbling and he could earn from a good draw despite officially being 2kg under sufferance. Angel Gabriel has dropped to a competitive merit rating and is distance suited. Dravidian recorded a good time when winning over 1000m on the sand in his penultimate, but the 200m further from a wide draw is a concern.
In the third over 1200m, Span Die Seile is a R1,5m purchase by Captain Al and doesn’t have a lot to beat. School Of Dynasty has struck as one who will enjoy the sand and certainly has a fitting pedigree so he could do well from a good draw. Abby Blue wasn’t disgraced in his Cape Town starts which makes him a runner here despite returning from a six month break as the class of horse down there is superior. Narnia had a fair introduction to sand last time out over course and distance despite stumbling, but she did finish distressed which is a concern. Attract The Crowd could earn if reproducing her best run over course and distance.
In the fourth over 1450m, News Filter starts in handicaps off a reasonable merit rating of 80 after two effortless wins over sprint trips on the sand so could record a hattrick. Rippit Whippet is 5,5kg better off with News Filter for a six length beating over 1200m and has the overall sand form to be a contender. Bodega is course and distance suited and well drawn. Inkolo has done well lately on the turf off this sort of rating and has a chance here considering he has a good sand pedigree. Wensleydale won in commanding style last time out over course and distance so looks to have improved and could also be a contender for a hattrick despite her tough draw.
In the fifth over 1450m, Viking Castle has a better draw than when charging home last time so could be the one to beat. Formal Request is in form and drawn well over a suitable trip. White Christmas might well prefer this trip to 1600m and had an excuse last time so could earn.
In the sixth over 1000m, Sweet Pickings ran a cracker in a feature over course and distance on Saturday and this will be easier. Scandal was beaten just under a length by Sweet Pickings in that race and is now 0,5kg better off, so could also be a contender. Slick Deputy finished well over course and distance last time and could earn if repeating.
In the seventh over 1600m, Gaisge Gold won his maiden well over course and distance last time with front-running tactics and from draw two with a light weight he could repeat the effort. Inala just failed over course and distance in his penultimate and should go close again. Kidmambo is course is 2kg better off with Inala for a 4,6 length beating over course and distance and is drawn in pole so could be a threat. Ciao Ciao could earn of repeating her last start over course and distance when staying on well. Pay As You Go is 2,5kg better off with Inala for a 5,1 length beating over course and distance so could be a factor despite a tricky draw.
In the eighth over 1800m Mooghamir’s merit rating of 82 after his impressive maiden win over course and distance doesn’t look high enough to stop him. Colonel Lockjaw loves this course and distance too and is drawn in pole. Triple Beat is distance suited and being by Trippi should love the sand, so is an interesting contender.
By David Thiselton
Picture: Vitruvian Man (Nkosi Hlophe)
