There could be two Pick 6 bankers at the Vaal Inside track tomorrow in Noble Princess and Seventh Rule.
Noble Princess is a scopey daughter of Mambo In Seattle who was a touch unlucky over 1600m last time when losing a length and just failing to hold on. In the second leg of tomorrow’s Pick 6 over 1800m she has a plum draw over a step up in trip she should relish. The main danger looks to be Pachanga, who has a big heart but is one paced and has finished second five times in succession. Magic’s First made up some ground from midfield over 1600m last time and the risk averse could consider her for the Pick 6.
In the last leg of the Pick 6 over 1200m Seventh Rule looks to have been waiting for this trip as he has plenty of pace and stays up to 1400m so can lead from start to finish. He did fail over this trip in his first run out of the maidens but is now running off a merit rating a whopping 14 points lower. He lost on that occasion by three lengths to Cumberland and the latter has had strong formlines since, including winning one more race. Beyond Seventh Rule it is wide open. Camel Walk ran well the last time he tried this trip and could be the main danger along with Prince Jordan, who goes well for Lyle Hewitson and will be a big threat if bouncing back to his best after three disappointing runs. Pius Oil, Fly North and Singaswewin are others who warrant consideration.
Verdier (Candiese Marnewick)
The Pick 6 starts off with a Maiden over 2000m which looks to be a two horse race. Both Indy Ice and Winter Crusade are rangy types who should relish this trip and the only concern is their wide draws. Aeronautical is the danger on form but is even wider drawn. The two well drawn horses who could come to the party if the main protagonists suffer bad luck in running are Festive Linngari and Tongue Twister.
The third leg of the Pick 6 over 1800m is an Assessment Plate and it provides an easy opportunity on paper for Like A Panther, who is very well treated at the weights according to official merit ratings. However, he has not run for 180 days so his stablemate Hakeem and the up-and-coming Gift For The Gap can also be included. Hakeem ran a fair race over this trip on Saturday considering he set a strong pace and he can do better if ridden more conservatively from a good draw. Gift For The Gap is unbeaten in two starts over further than a mile and is by the exciting sire Master Of My Fate, whose destiny as a stallion will be influenced by how well his three-year-old crop do this season.
The next leg is a classy Assessment Plate over 1100m for fillies and mares. In The Dance was impressive on debut and this Gimmethegreenlight filly could prove to have as good a turn of foot as her half-brother Capetown Noir. She has only had that one start so only has to carry 56kg and looks the one to beat. Xplosive Kiss also made an impressive debut and looks the main threat. Dalai’s Promise has proved how good she is since arriving on the Highveld, winning both of her starts there, but she does have to give the first two choices 3kg. However, she does still warrant consideration and so do Witch Of The West and San Fermin. The former has class and should run well fresh over a trip too sharp and the latter is the best in at the weights on official merit ratings, although it has to be said she has been a disappointment overall considering how highly she was touted after her winning debut.
The eighth race is the trickiest race in the Pick 6, not surprisingly as it is a low grade handicap for fillies and mares. Trip To Ibiza had some fair Cape Town form and was dropped two points after a mediocre Highveld debut. However, she has gone close in both starts off her current mark, both over this trip on the Inside track, and she might prefer running down the straight as she can pack a strong finish. She does have a very high draw so any draw bias on the day will have to be noted. Kissmeinmydreams loves this course and distance so is a must include. Ensemble has placed in both of her post maiden starts and Raymond Danielson stays aboard and others to include are Goodness Me, Count Kournikova, Tricia and Announcing Rain.
The first leg of the PA over 1400m should be fought out by the promising pair Rosario and Sea Venture, who were only a quarter of a length apart over 1200m last time. Rosario has the draw in her favour again, but Sea Venture looks the more likely of the pair to enjoy the step up in trip.
By David Thiselton
