The Vaal Inside track stages a low key eight race meeting tomorrow, although there are some good horses appearing and Amsterdam could make the headlines.
Brazuca
This rejuvenated six-year-old galloper by Windrush can score his third win of 2018 over a suitable trip in the MR 104 Handicap over 2000m. His draw of two in the six horse field will suit his handy to front-running style, especially considering the pole position drawn Kitty’s Destiny tends to be dropped out. Furthermore, the field has cut down to just six runners after the scratching of the sold-without-engagement Master Switch and carrying just 52,5kg he can dictate under JP van der Merwe, who rides him for the third time in succession. His resolute finish can then see off the challengers. However, he will not have it easy. Glider Pilot looks to be the main danger. He showed his class by finishing fourth in the Grade 1 Daily News 2000 in just his third career start. Interestingly, his second career start was over this course and distance in May last year and he finished a 1,9 length second to Amsterdam at level weights. He was 2,5kg worse off than weight for age with Amsterdam in that race and is now 4kg worse off than weight for age with him, so on that bit of form Amsterdam should confirm the placings.
However, Glider Pilot is obviously more experience now and it would be no surprise to him winning. The four-year-old A P Arrow gelding is coming off a good second in a Progress Plate. He was well weighted in the latter race, but now has his third run after a layoff. Bankable Teddy will also be a threat. He is distance suited and last time, with the blinkers removed, came from off a slow pace over 1800m to lose by a head to Amesterdam. He is now half-a-kilogram better off and all three of his career wins have been over this 2000m trip. The blinkers remain off and Ryan Munger rides for the third time in succession. Brazuca is the class horse of the race but has to lug 61,5kg and comes off a poor run over 1800m in which he was not striding out. Kitty’s Destiny has always struck a one with ability and this long-striding sort was running on well over 1600m last time. He is 2kg under sufferance , but is drawn in pole and could surprise. Top Shot sneaks into the handicap with the minimum weight and with Lyle Hewitson up can’t be ignored over a trip in which he has only once finished outside of the first three.
The next race is a MR 82 Handicap over 2000m and The Rocketman might be attempting to book his place in the classics. Last time over 1600m he took a while to get going but won full of running and this three-year-old Australian-bred gelding by Foxwedge will relish the step up in trip. The concern is a wide draw of seven but in the eight horse field he can make up the ground if dropped out to the back. Shenanigans got going late to win over 1600m last time and should also relish the step up in trip. In fact he won his maiden by 4,5 lengths over this trip and this lightly raced Dynasty gelding looks to be going places. It looks to be a boat race and is full of intrigue as both are likely ahead of the handicapper off 83 and 78 merit ratings respectively. Malinga is in good form and has never been out of the first two in four attempts at the course and distance. He is the most likely to pick up the pieces if the top two fluff their lines.
The best bet could be Sailor Girl who runs in the third race, a Maiden Plate over 1700m for fillies and mares. She was a touch unlucky last time with first-time blinkers on when forced outward just before the serious part of the race started. She was doing her best work late and the winner Gottalotofluv looks a decent sort while the second, Tigerlace, has since come out and won. Furthermore, she now has pole position. She can be bankered in all bets against an uninspiring field.
The meeting begins with an uninspiring maiden over 1000m, but two interesting first-timers appear. The Turf King is a R350,000 purchase by the speed influence Var and is a half-sister to the twice Listed-winning speedster, The Merry Widow, so she should have plenty of pace and is tipped to win with Marco van Rensburg up for Geoff Woodruff. Leprechaun’s Love is only a R75,000 purchase but is by Philanthropist and is a half-brother to the rangy, twice-Listed winner speedster Doing It For Dan and Lyle Hewitson is an eye-catching booking. The experienced horse who is most likely to give cheek is Coastal Torrent as he has bumped decent types in every one of his six career starts and as he has shown pace before he will likely appreciate the step down to this trip.
The Value bet is chosen to be Pilou in the seventh over 1400m as he has always struck as a fair sort and drops to 1400m, having held on from the front last time over 1600m with first-time blinkers on. It is a common mistake to believe a horse who only just holds on in the front over 1600m will win next time out over a shorter trip. Over the shorter trip there will be a step up in overall pace and the horse might not even be fast enough to lead. However, the plum draw of one and the suitability to the blinkers is what swings it in his favour.
By David Thiselton
