David Thiselton
The WSB Grand Heritage to be run over 1475m at the Vaal today features the annual biggest field in South African racing and the winner this year might be Master Christmas.
The five-year-old Tony Peter-trained Master Of My Fate gelding has good form and is distance suited, so from a potentially favourable high draw he could go one better than last year. He is 2kg better off with Mastership for a 1,20 length beating over 1500m in his last start and carries a nice galloping weight of 55,5kg with Gavin Lerena up. Yippee Kiyay sneaks into the handicap with the minimum weight and this Buffalo Bill Cody three-year-old has done well this season in two runs as a gelding and looks to be progressive. He should enjoy this step up in distance being out of a Silvano mare whose three wins were from 1400m to 1450m and JP van der Merwe rides. He has a low draw but low draws have been the winning draws for the last two years. The five-year-old Diane Stenger-trained Master Of My Fate gelding Mastership is ideally distance suited and has always had a touch of class, so he could go close carrying 57,5kg off a 100 merit rating under Marco van Rensburg. The five-year-old Lancaster Bomber gelding Pressonregardless has come into his own recently and has a nice middle draw. He carries a big weight of 59,5kg, but Richard Fourie is aboard. Bristol Hercules has a touch of class and can make his presence felt over a suitable trip from a high draw carrying just 52kg under Mickaëlle Michel and being just half-a-kilogram under sufferance. Taegan’s Champ has the class to be a contender over a suitable distance. Bob’s Your Uncle is on his home course over a suitable trip and represents Lucky Houdalakis, who has a good record in this race. Obsidian is in fine form and will be going for his third win this season over a suitable trip and carries 56kg under S’Manga Khumalo. Birthright carries just 52,5kg under Chase Maujean and is a capable sort who should be prominent and will relish the distance. Open Highway is capable of running on but is officially 1kg under sufferance under Kabelo Matsunyane. Dylan’s Champ is also in fine form but is also 1kg under sufferance. Calantha has proven form over this distance and Callan Murray up is a bonus, but it’s never easy against the boys. The filly Care Forgot is 1kg better off with Mastership for a 2,30 length beating over 1500m so should not be far off. Fire ‘N Flames is joint topweight with 60kg and has the ability to be right there over what should be an ideal trip. Potberrie is also distance suited and this joint topweight is also a contender in this wide open race. Hotarubi has talent but is a problematic horse and has only made the frame once in six starts this season. Rollotheviking is an interesting raider over a suitable trip but does appear to be at his best on the poly. Skittle skies has ability but might find this on the sharp side. Sonic Jet has come down to a competitive merit rating and should be effective over this trip. Pumpkin Pie can’t be discounted as he has a chance if producing his best. Red Bomber ran a fine race last time which puts him right into the picture. Wiccan Warrior is only half-a-kilogram under sufferance and will be right there if producing his best. Paul Revere can still improve but has a hard task being 2,5kg under sufferance. They are selected in the order mentioned.
In the first leg of the Pick 6 over 1200m Maverick Queen is on the up and is the one to beat under Richard Fourie even if having to overcome a seven point raise for her last win.
In the second leg over 2400m Copper Plate ran a cracker when stepped up to a staying trip last time. losing narrowly with the rest well beaten, so he should take a power of beating.
In the seventh race, the Grand Heritage Consolation race, Fully Loaded is the form Choice, although Tsar Bomba is off a nice mark and can go close if bouncing back to form.
In the eighth race over 1475m Drivelikeamaster relished the step up to 1450m last time and although given four points for the run he should go close.
In the ninth over 1400m Bloomington ran a cracker last time and with a 4kg claimer up could be involved.
In the first race over 1000m Heath House showed tremendous gate speed and natural speed on debut and should blitz them here.
In the second over 1200m Varachino’s Champ was due to run on Thursday but if still eligible here looks the one to beat.
In the third race over 1200m Tintin has plenty of ability and has a good opportunity to get off the mark.
In the tenth race over 1000m Inafix has consistent form over this trip and should be right there.
