The Vaal Classic track stages a low key eight race meeting tomorrow and the Pick 6 looks catchable.

In the first leg over 1000m Lion King is the one to beat with Saint Michael and Ragnarok the dangers. Lion King has plenty of pace and it was costly last time when he jumped left over this trip on Turffontein Inside. He was rushed to the front and finished only 1,5 lengths back so with a better start and as a relatively unexposed sort he could make amends. Saint Michael is a scopey sort who has plenty of pace too. He hasn’t raced since being caught late over this course and distance with first-time blinkers on in February and finishing a 2,25 length second.

Hungry Heart

He should have matured in the interim and can get away with the layoff over this sprint trip. Ragnarok has shown pace in his last two over 1200m and now drops in trip with first-time blinkers on so is an interesting runner.  First-timer Mischievous Green is by Gimmethegreenlight out of a Black Minnaloushe maiden who is a half-sister to two Listed winners and Strydom is an eyecatching booking. The other first-timer Split is by Potala Palace out of an unplaced Var mare whose dam has not produced any winners but Hewitson is aboard.

In the next leg over 1000m Carmalita showed a lot of natural speed when returning from a short layoff over this trip and held on comfortably. Strydom stays aboard and this rangy sort should have come on from that last run so can handle a three point raise. Memphis Belle must be included as she is consistent and has won once and finished second twice in three starts over the course and distance. Modjaji can never be ignored in these 1000m fillies and mares handicaps although she is 1kg worse off with Memphis Belle for a short-head beating. Elusive Strike is in hard-knocking form and should be included. Celestina has not run since February but has the ability to win.

In the third leg over 1450m Hungry Heart is a progressive sort who won in eyecatching style last time and with Strydom keeping the ride off a four point higher mark she can follow up. Lady Negra was 3,25 lengths behind Hungry Heart last time but is 2,5kg better off, well drawn with Hewitson up and now has blinkers on. Fragrant Miss has been a touch disappointing overall but hold up tactics over this trip worked well last time as she ran on well. She was given a harsh six point raise for that win, but must be considered. Picture Me also warrants consideration as the form of his easy maiden win over 1200m has been franked and first time out the maidens over this trip he had a terrible draw so can be forgiven that run.

In the fourth leg over 1600m Jika is the one to beat from pole position. He was beaten in his last two starts over this trip by Infamous Fox and the latter went on to win on July day so this handy to front-running sort is going to be hard to beat from pole position. Soldier On is suggested as the only other inclusion in the Pick 6. He beat Infamous Fox in the Egoli Mile at Turffontein Standside in March and last time out was only 0,4 lengths behind Jika when staying on from a wide draw. He has another high draw to overcome but will be dangerous if it pans out well for him.

The next leg is a maiden over 1600m and there is not much form to go on at first glance. However, the unexposed trio Oojooba, Oona and Dance Dance all have scope for improvement and should get punters through.

In the last leg of the Pick 6 Empress Valley could make it four on the trot. Last time over course and distance she over raced behind a slow pace and yet still won comfortably so she can overcome a three point raise. However, Beautiful Shay is the likely pacemaker again and might slow it down again so others must be included. Itsmydarlin only lost to Empress Valley by a head when charging home from a wide draw on the Vaal Inside track on June 12. She is drawn wide again but is 1,5kg better off so has a big shout. September Bloom has a definite form chance too from a good draw over an ideal trip. Those three could be enough but for wider Gold Shades, Glamorous Scandal and My Cherry can be included.

By David Thiselton