The nine race meeting on the Vaal Classic track tomorrow will highlight the question of how difficult it is for horses to win first time out the maidens as the last three legs of the Pick 6 will have respectively fancied horses in this boat.
In the seventh race the Mike de Kock-trained Mawsoof got better the longer the race lasted in an uninspiring maiden over 1000m and won by 4,75 lengths from Ragnarok, who has fair form but likely needed the run as he was returning from a long layoff. Mawsoof made a respiratory noise, which is always a concern. He was accorded a reasonable 76 merit rating but still has to carry topweight of 60kg and faces a field of toughened sprint handicaps. He has been tipped to win only because he is likely to improve, but cannot be selected with confidence especially as he would likely prefer a touch further in time, being by Trippi out of Western Winter mare Besma whose two wins were both over 1200m. Furthermore, the main danger Exclusively Trendy hails from the flying Paul Peter yard and showed fine pace last time out before being cut down late by Brigtnumberten. The latter then franked the form by running way above his rating in a Graduation Plate over 1000m, so Exclusively Trendy looks to be a big runner here, especially considering Anthony Delpech will now be in the irons. Singaswewin won his maiden in his 33rd career start but off a merit rating of 58 should not be under-estimated as he went close off a merit rating of 59 in a 1000m handicap on the Vaal Inside track in August.
Mike De Kock
In the eight race Rock Pigeon also won well on debut over 1000m and runs over the same trip. She was more eye catching than Mawsoof as she showed a fine turn of foot and won cosily by 1,6 lengths without being hard pressed. Yet she was only accorded a merit rating of 75, so has a chance here carrying 58,5kg. On the other hand the form of her win has not stood up well. However, although she will likely have to improve further to win, she had been selected to cross the line first as she does not face an inspiring field. Varsity Princess has showed good pace in her last two races with blinkers on. Last time out the only horse to overtake her was the promising three-year-old Takingthepeace, who looks to be going places. Prosperity is an improved sort who has won three out of her last five races and last time she can be forgiven as she lost two lengths at the start. Celtic Lady is a small filly with a big heart and she is 2kg better off with Prosperity for a recent 0,7 length defeat, so she should also be in the shake up, although she is battling to get her nose in front. Claremorris could also have a say if recapturing her best form.
In the last race Combat Muster came from some way back in a fast paced race on Grand Heritage day to win over 1200m. The form has been franked as the runner up Captain My Captain has won since. Therefore, Combat Muster has a chance off a mere 73 merit rating in this 1200m handicap. However, the tip to win is Dawnbreaker, who has plummeted down to a 58 merit rating and for the first time this year drops to the trip of her only win, which she achieved on her debut.
The meeting starts off with a maiden over 1500m and Eight Cities is the choice. He was slow away and wide last time out over course and distance but was only caught late by the promising Middle Path and there was daylight back to the rest. He now has pole position and faces an uninspiring field.
In the second, a maiden for fillies and mares over 1500m, Circle Of Latitude looks to be going places and is choice for best bet.
Her Australian-bred stablemate Yes We Do is the selection for the first leg of the PA as she did not have much luck on debut over 1400m but was staying on and looks likely to relish the step up to this 1700m trip.
In the first leg of the Pick 6, a Maiden over 2400m, The Await The Dawn gelding Before Noon is bred for this trip and is interesting as he was carded to run on Tuesday night over 2000m.
In the first leg of the Jackpot, a MR 68 handicap for fillies and mares over 2400m, the topweight Dalley is the choice as this trip looks ideal and being a five-year-old mare by Ideal World she is likely to be coming into her own.
By David Thiselton
