The Vaal stages a low key eight-race meeting tomorrow and Cathedral County could make more progress by beating a good field in the headliner.
The four-year-old Trippi gelding runs in race 6, a MR 85 Handicap over 1000m. Former champion jockey Gavin Lerena has ridden Cathedral County three times for three wins and is back aboard. Last time out after losing a length at the start, he was soon up with the pace and the horse then stretched clear in the closing stages to win by 1,4 lengths without being under any pressure. He has only been given a four point merit rated raise and this well regarded sort should be coming into his own. Vicomte ran on well in his penultimate start over this trip on the Turffontein Inside course to be beaten only 1,25 lengths by the classy Alfolk when receiving only 3kg. This three-year-old Var gelding will appreciate the step down in trip after being well beaten over 1400m in the Emperor’s Palace Ready To Run Cup.
Gavin Lerena
He has a long-striding action and should be finishing strongly again off a merit rating of 86 and should go close considering Alfolk is now merit rated 100. Marmook will also be a strong contender and on paper can beat Cathedral County on a strict line through Bono. Cathedral County beat the latter by 1,4 lengths when giving him 4kg and Marmook beat Bono by 4,75 lengths when receiving 1,5kg. Marmook now receives 6kg from Cathedral County and having won that last race comfortably in his first outing as a gelding he can continue to progress. Rebel’s Champ also has his second run after gelding and if recapturing the form which saw him running 1,5 lengths behind So Var at level weights over 1160m, he has a chance off an 85 merit rating, considering So Var is now merit rated 94.
The meetings starts off with an interesting first-timer in the Candice Dawson-trained Silvano colt Shadow Man. This horse was bought for R1,9 million and is a half-brother to dual Grade 1-winner Thunder Dance. He faces an uninspiring maiden field over 1500m and is drawn in pole. Flexible Fugitive looks the horse to beat among those who have raced. He finished just 3,55 length behind the decent sort Ideal Secret over 1400m in June. Last time he was tried over 1800m and didn’t go on with his effort, so is interesting dropped back to this trip with blinkers on.
In the first leg of the PA, a maiden for fillies and mares over 1500m, Silvano is also represented by a well-bred sort. The three-year-old Zargun is a daughter of Grade 2 Gauteng Fillies Guineas and Grade 1 Woolavington 2000-winner Zirconeum, who went on to finish second in the Vodacom Durban July. Zargun made a fair debut over 1400m in June and has not run since. She does not have a lot to beat in her comeback run here. Adrenalina ran an improved race last time when stepped up to this trip and can also be included in the PA, although her wide draw makes it tricky and the better-drawn Our Biscuit thus also warrants consideration.
In the first leg of the Pick 6, a maiden over 2000m, Before Noon would likely no longer be a maiden if the race he was entered in last time over further than this had not been cancelled due to lightning. This big son of Await The Dawn ran out of racetrack when chasing the winner over this trip before that. He does not have a lot to beat here and the Sean Tarry yard will hopefully turn the corner from their spell of bad form now that they have the first Grade 1 of the season, the Sansui Summer Cup, under their belt. One Wall Street and Matchmaker don’t look any great shakes but could be the main dangers.
Just Cruised In
The first leg of the Jackpot, a Maiden over 2000m, could be won by Whiteout. She was stepped up to 1700m last time out and was most unlucky. When finally seeing daylight, having been shuffled back and then having to switch, she flew home and just failed. She looks likely to enjoy this trip, despite being by a champion sprinter in What A Winter. The main dangers, Until Dawn and Kings Creek, were in that same race last time and she should confirm the form considering how unlucky she was.
In the next race over 1800m Big Parade, a colt by Dynasty out of the Summer Cup winner Flirtation, can progress further having won his maiden comfortably when stepped up to 2000m. Just Cruised In and Lee’s Pick can be the dangers as they both look well handicapped on their best form.
The seventh race, a Middle Stakes event over 2400m, Just A Jet is the selection, despite not being well weighted on official merit ratings. She has won her last two over this trip easily and could develop into a useful stayer now that the yard appear to have got on top of her behavioural problems at the start. End Game could be the main danger as she has caught the eye before and looks to be crying out for this trip.
In the last race, a MR 71 Handicap over 2400m, Sess showed herself to be an out and out stayer last time over 3000m and is the one to beat despite being given a six point raise. Scotland and Stunner both did well the last time they went over this trip and will be threats.
By David Thiselton
