The Vaal stages a low key nine race meeting tomorrow on the Inside track but there could nevertheless be one or two opportunities for punters.

The highest rated race is a MR 76 Handicap over 2000m and the under rated Ali Bon Dubai can make it two wins on the trot and his fourth victory in his last six starts. Last time out over this trip he started on terms for the second time in succession, so was able to come from a midfield position. He showed his usual good turn of foot in the straight to make up the leeway. He then became involved in a three-way tussle, but he took care of it quickly, finding another gear and drawing away to win easily by 1,3 lengths. In his previous start he finished a narrow second over 3000m to Dromedaris, who has gone on to win his next two races over staying trips in comfortable fashion.

Bengal Boy

Ali Bon Dubai looks to have more in the tank and can rise above his current lowly merit rating of 70. He has the same draw of six as last time. Scotland is usually a reliable sort and is better than his September run when beaten 7,2 lengths by Ali Bon Dubai over this trip. He is now 4,5kg better off and could earn from a good draw of two. Three-year-old colt Walter Smoothie has always caught the eye as one who could develop into a fair middle distance type and he is 1kg better off with Ali Bon Dubai for a 2,3 length beating last time over this trip. If weight for age is taken into account, he is 2kg better off, but Ali Bon Dubai did win cosily and should confirm the placings.

The best bet on the card could be Ghost Rider in the third race over 1200m, although he will face stiff opposition from the beautifully bred Silver Spine. Last time out Ghost Rider showed zip but was a bit hampered. When seeing fresh air in the closing stages he ran on strongly for a 4,5 length fourth to State Trooper. That was the Captain Al gelding’s first run since his decent debut eight months earlier when an eight length third to the classy Flying Free in a maiden juvenile plate. He should have benefitted from the run and the in form 1,5kg claimer Dennis Schwarz remains aboard. Silver Spine is by Silvano out of the Grade 1 Cape Fillies Guineas winner Sparkling Gem. The latter had plenty of speed, so Silver Spine is interesting stepped down to this trip after showing pace over 1400m on debut. In the latter race he was not at all disgraced in finishing a 6,5 length fifth to Mike de Kock’s Australian-bred debutant by Mutrib, a classy looking son of Street Cry. Silver Spine covers a lot of ground and will make a good race of it under Gavin Lerena, although his high draw could be against him on this course.

It is never easy to win first time out of the maidens but two Paul Peter-trained horses have been tipped to do so.

In the sixth race Peter sends out the four-year-old Count Dubois gelding Party Beat with top weight of 60kg, and adding to the difficulty is he has a wide draw of 13. However, this big and rangy chestnut was up with the pace in his second start over 1400m and then stretched clear to win by 4,4 lengths over a trio which was palpably too sharp as he had to be kept to his task throughout. The third-placed horse that day was well behind the second, so it was not bad form for a moderate maiden. He starts off on a 69 merit rating and will relish this step up in trip, although Keagan de Melo will have his work out to find a nice position for him in the running.Volcanic Sunet is a fair sort who could be a threat and Stay With Me has always struck mas one who would improve with age when sent over this sort of trip so is interesting in his first run as a gelding.

In the eighth race over 1200m Peter sends out Ouro, who showed pace third time out over 1000m and extended to win by 4,8 lengths. The Toreador three-year-old filly should handle the step up to 1200m and has a plum draw of two on a course where low draws are usually favourable down the straight. Sean Tarry’s debutant winner Colour Of Light could be anything too, but does have a tough draw. Patchouli Queen makes most appeal of the older horses as a pacey sort who is slightly better drawn than she was last time off her current attractive merit rating.

Corne Spies is an expert in traing two-year-olds and has been tipped to win the first two races on the card with Miss Boomerang and Star Flyer.

By David Thiselton