The Vaal stages a competitive nine race meeting tomorrow where the highest rated race is a MR 91 Handicap over 2000m and Amsterdam is taken to maintain his unbeaten record over this course and distance.

This galloping sort was beaten two lengths by the classy three-year-old Like A Panther the last time he tried this trip. Piere Strydom could employ front-running tactics again and the six-year-old will not be easy to overtake as he is a resolute sort. He has been consistent off his current merit rating of 84, which is an attractive one considering he once finished second in the Grade 1 SA Classic over 1800m. The Classic was run in soft going that year, so Amsterdam will appreciate the recent rains on the Highveld. Kilrain could be the dark horse in the race. He was disappointing last time over 1700m, but is probably looking for this 2000m trip these days. He won over this trip at Kenilworth just over a year ago and Mike de Kock steps him up to this distance for the first time since acquiring him in July.

Samurai Blade

Samurai Blade was running on strongly over 1800m last time and with a reversal in draw fortunes and being 2,5kg better off for a 2,25 length beating he can reverse form with Wild Horizon. His comeback in October was a good effort and after some up and down form since then he should now be cherry-ripe to run well over his probable best trip. Wild Horizon has a good record over this trip but does have a tough draw to overcome now. However, he did spread a shoe in that last race but still won comfortably and he is also by the stout Fort Wood so should still have a lot of racing in him. Intergalactic is the only female in the race and this Grade 2 winner has dropped to a competitive merit rating of 91. She was staying on after a slow start over this trip in July in the Gold Bracelet, so from a good draw with in-form 1,5kg claimer Dennis Schwartz up, has a chance. Hidden Agenda was unlucky last time over 1700m and is 2kg better off with Wild Horizon for a 3,15 length beating over 1800m before that. He has won over this trip before and Gavin Lerena aboard is a plus to his chances.

It is difficult to find a Pick 6 banker, but Paree in the last has been awarded the accolade. She has a plum draw of two on a straight course which usually favours low draws. The 1400m is also her ideal trip. This horse would likely have gone places with a better temperament, as she can be a bit headstrong. However, in the good hands of Piere Strydom she went close over course and distance last time. She is off the same merit rating and Strydom is back aboard. Azkur is the top weight in this race and also has a plum low draw. She won her maiden over this trip and followed up by winning over 2000m. She found no extra over 1800m last time, so is interestingly stepped back to this trip. For the PA Azkur is included, because a probable more reliable PA banker than Paree is Skiminac in race three over 1700m.

It always pays to follow Alec Laird when he hits a purple patch of form and he is in such a patch at present. Skiminac has always looked to have a bit of scope and with the blinkers having come off for her last start over 1500m, this trip from a pole position draw will likely be ideal.

The first leg of the Pick 6 over 1700m sees an interesting clash between Our Shining Star, Shakespeare Inlove and Sunshine Silk. Our Shining Star is an impressive daughter of Silvano who will relish the step up in trip and this is her third career start so she is taken to win it from a good draw.

The value bet of the day comes in the next race in the form of the Lucky Houdalakis-trained Whiteout. She caught the eye in the maidens as one who could stay on strongly over middle distances. She has been given a seven point drop in the merit ratings after just one run out of the maidens.

In the first race Mike de Kock steps out yet another well-bred Australian-bred in Sirtain. He makes a belated debut at the age of four, but is by Not A Single Doubt, who was the leading sire of three-year-olds in Australia in the 2015/2016 season. His dam by Falbrav is a half-sister to a Listed winner and he does not have a lot to beat.

By David Thiselton