The Vaal stages a nine race card tomorrow and punters will be looking to boost their bankrolls ahead of the big Guineas meeting on Saturday.
A fillies and mares MR 84 Handicap over 1000m is the headliner. Myfunnyvalentine was a bit outpaced last time over this trip in a race dominated by the speedy Frederico’s Dream, but she flew at the finish and was only 0,9 lengths back in third at the line. The Tarry yard have hit form at last lately and in this weaker field the rangy Captain Al filly can defy topweight of 61kg under regular pilot Lyle Hewitson. Movie Show was also out the back in that aforementioned race but when she began her telling late run she was cramped for room so should have finished closer. She has been in good form as a five-year-old and has won twice over this course and distance. Kissable looked to be a top sprinter in the making as a two-year-old, winning her first two starts over 800m and 1000m respectively by 6,4 and 7,5 lengths.
Lyle Hewitson
However, she then went off the boil and it was only six runs later, after dropping to a 77 merit rating that she managed her third career win. That was also the first time 1,5kg claimer Mpumi Mjoko had ridden her and he is back aboard. She is 4 points up in the merit ratings and her confidence will be up, so she could be a threat. Levi Lady has plenty of speed and is now 2,5kg better off with Kissable for a 1,4 length beating, so should be thereabouts. Daring Diva was among the best two-year-olds of her crop, but she has run well below par in her last two starts. She has dropped to an 85 merit rating from an original mark of 97 so if bouncing back can go close and is worth considering. Singing In Seattle had some good Port Elizabeth form and has not been disgraced in three starts on the Highveld, so she could earn too having been dropped three points in the merit ratings.
Punters should be given a good start with Rivonia Boulevard in the first race over 1200m. Last time out this rangy Count Du Bois colt stayed on well for an excellent third in the Kuda Sprint over 1200m at Kenilworth on Sun Met day. Good horses always contest that race and she will be hard to beat in a much weaker field and with a nice middle draw.
The second will likely see Matanuska being all the rage, but she might have been flattered by her debut where she was making late progress as the time was slow. Generoso is having her 46th start but if things go her way she can run on quite nicely and she seemed to appreciate the step down from staying trips to 1400m last time and ran third to a promising sort. Hurricane Lass can also go close if settling better than she did last time when fresh from a layoff. Petite Aime could represent place value and Keep It Hot and Sea Like Glass could be quartet considerations.
In the third over 1200m Running Brave kept on finding extra over 1000m on debut despite long odds and a possibly unfavourable low draw, so she looks likely to enjoy this trip and is the one to beat. Riptide showed fine pace on debut over 1000m before displaying signs of inexperience and also getting tired. She was reported to have made a breathing noise which is a concern and her low draw is also a possible worry. However, she should have come on from the run and is tipped to fight out second place with Cloud Break, who stayed on over 1000m on debut.
Gavin Lerena
In the first leg of the Pick 6 Silvano filly Believe Me was not overly impressive second time out when staying on for second over 1200m but in this uninspiring field over a step up in trip she will appreciate she could be a banker. Hartleyone made a fair debut after a slow start but was found to have a hairline fracture and is coming back from a layoff.
It gets tough in leg 2 but Gold Dawn created a good impression last time when running on strongly to win her maiden and Gavin Lerena is up so she can beat Eleni and Moss Gass. Goodness Me and Jamra warrant consideration too.
In the seventh over 1600m Dressed To Impress looks a fair sort in the making and is a banker consideration.
In the eighth over 1400m Momo has dropped to a competitive mark but the low draw might be against her so going as wide as possible is the suggestion, although Shelley, Fish River Canyon, Flowing Gown, Sammi Moosa and Piccadilly Square are the one which make most appeal.
In the last the R1,1million Dynasty filly Kentucky Blue stayed on well over 1200m last time and will relish the step up to 1400m, but the number one draw might be a concern. Son Of A Legend and Hard Ball might also have to be considered. Two Guns and Timkat make most appeal of the higher drawn horses.
By David Thiselton
