The Vaal stages a ten race meeting tomorrow and there look to be some fair opportunities for punters.
In the first leg of the PA over 1200m Lady Lexington showed good pace on debut over 1160m before being run out of it late. She will have come on from the run and is the one to beat.
Atrevete was not too well away and green on debut before making eyecatching late headway and with a better start and one run under the belt can also be included in the PA as she will appreciate the 200m step up in trip.
In the first leg of the Pick 6 San Fermin was not disgraced against some good sorts last time over 1160m and she was finishing well. She is now the best weighted horse according to official merit ratings in this Assessment Plate over 1200m and this once highly touted filly can claim her third career win. However, Against The Grain is a classy sort who can rise above her current merit so despite officially being 4,5kg under sufferance with San Fermin it would be no surprise to see her winning. Those two should be enough for the Pick 6.
In the first leg of the Jackpot over 1200m Carbon Atom is a well-bred sort being by Fort Wood out of the classy speedster Welwitschia and he has taken well to blinkers. He just failed over 1200m last time but was finishing strongly and can get it right this time. The form of Palace Chapel’s last win over 1200m has been franked although the horse he beat, Oravar, proved to be better suited to 1000m. He was also reported to have made a breathing noise in that win and has to give Carbon Atom 3kg. There won’t be much in it and this pair should be enough for the exotics.
In the sixth race over 1600m only two horses should suffice again. Both Seville Orange and Pale Lilac have struck as fillies who have a touch of class and both are now starting to fulfill their promise. Seville Orange showed a good turn of foot to win comfortably last time over this trip and she can continue to progress. Pale Lilac ran with first time blinkers on last time over a trip of 1400m which is too sharp and won easily. She had dropped to an attractive merit rating of 70 and the five point rise to 75 should not stop her over a step up in trip she will appreciate.
In the seventh over 1600m Silver Thursday had no luck in her last start over 2000m when caught wide thoughout and her race was run a long way out. Although she has always struck as one who would enjoy middle distances her best ever run was over this trip when a narrow second to Takingthepeace in the Grade 2 Gauteng Fillies Guineas. Being by Silvano she should be coming into her own and she now gets blinkers on over her best form trip. She is the best weighted horse so should go close if taking to blinkers.
Blossom by Silvano out of the Triple Tiara winner Cherry On The Top looks to be promising and must also be included despite having a tough task according to official merit ratings. Algebra won her maiden by 11.75 lengths over 1400m but this is much harder task although she can be included alongside Blossom. Flying Fable made a fine comeback from a long layoff and should also be included. Crimson Royale has been highly tried and was unlucky last time with second time blinkers on over 1400m so she can also be put into the Pick 6 and Jackpot.
The last two legs of the Pick 6 are relatively tough being a 1400m fillies and mares handicap and a 1400m handicap respectively. Samarra is tipped to win the eighth. She has dropped to a competitive merit rating and goes well for 2,5kg claimer Dylan Lerena so can go close over her probable ideal trip. Get Your Grove on has two wins and a close second in her last three starts over this trip and although she has been given a four point raise for that last second she is a progressive sort who should be right there. Gold Dawn is coming into her own and as one who runs on well over 1200m she should enjoy this trip. Lady Negra, Bullsade and Jailhouse Jazz should also be included in the Jackpot and Pick 6.
Manitoba is the selection in the ninth. He went close over 1600m last time when just run out of it and will enjoy this trip. Master Boulder has been in a good space lately and after finishing well over a sprint last time will enjoy the step back to the trip of his last win. Blue Diamond Road enjoys this trip and takes a drop in class. Lute Society, Rockstar Child, Swing Vote, Now And Forever, No Man’s Land, Greto and Decision Time can also be included.
By David Thiselton
