The Vaal stages a low key eight race meeting on the sand today and there look to be one or two good opportunities for punters.
In the first, a workrider’s maiden over 1450m, Rose Of Castille hit the front too early over 1600m on the sand last time before falling in a hole and is worth another chance from a good draw, although she is a difficult customer. Pride Of Battle enjoys the sand and is better than her last run when fading after setting the pace. She might appreciate the step down in trip and is well drawn. Angel’s Smile can win this on the form of her last race over 1600m and on her running style should have a chance of taking to the sand although her pedigree is not convincing in that regard. Ginger Sioux has gone close in her last two sand starts over 1600m and 1800m respectively, but this might be a touch sharp and she has a wide draw to overcome. Carole Bouquet could earn on form but is returning from an eleven month break.
The second is a MR 68 handicap over 1200m. All I Want has won both of his starts over this course and distance. The last of them was convincing so he is the tip to win from a good draw despite being seven points higher in the merit ratings. Captain’s Cup is a lightly race five-year-old who is with his second trainer but on ability he could go close from pole position over the trip that to date appears to suit him best. He has early pace and will have come on from his last start. Where’s My Chop has good form over course and distance and is off a competitive merit rating so should be right there too.
The third is a maiden over 1200m. Coptic Cross has run two fair races against much stronger fields than this and has Gavin Lerena (pictured) up, so is tipped to win despite a wide draw. First Sign is a battling maiden but could earn another cheque here. Run For Roses is a full-brother to a consistent earner in Vaal sand maidens.
The fourth is a weak MR 64 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1200m. Slick Deputy has come down to an attractive merit rating. Last time out over 1000m she was bumped at the start but wasn’t far back at the line, so could be the one to side with as she has started looking capable of staying this trip lately. Lizzie’s Legs beat Slick Deputy by 1,75 lengths last time out over 1000m but is now 1,5kg worse off. She has a tricky draw and is not certain to enjoy the step up in trip, but could still earn. Wensleydale is usually thereabouts and is now off an attractive merit rating although she is widely drawn and might prefer a touch further. Knock Knock is interesting stepped down in trip off a merit rating now down to 64 from a high of 78. Danielle can’t be ignored here and Quiana comes from the in for Luck Houdalakis yard so must also be considered.
The fifth is a MR 74 handicap over 1000m. There is a lot of speed in this race so it could set up well for Thrust who looks promising and starts off in handicaps with a low merit rating. Just Africa, who ran a fair race on Saturday, could get closer this time from a possibly more favourable draw for his speedy style. The speedy Battle Of Alma proved up to this merit rating last time when beaten 2,95 lengths over course and distance by a progressive sort.
In the sixth over 1800m Big Shot strikes as one who can keep on improving and in his hattrick bid here he should enjoy the step up in distance. Guy From Dubai should go close with this weight and should relish the course and distance. Mirage Drive won on the turf over 1600m from start to finish when coming back from a nine month layoff last time out and will be dangerous off a lowered sand merit rating over a suitable trip. All The Bids ran a cracker in his penultimate over 1600m and is now three points lower in the merit ratings. Lavender Landscape has some class, is better drawn than his last start and might now be looking for this trip. Africain can’t be ignored as the form of his last win has been franked.
In the seventh over 1600m Battle In Seattle was an easy winner over 1450m in his second career sand start and has Lerena up from pole position off a possibly capped merit rating as he was given the maximum eight point raise. Masnoon won in taking style over course and distance last time and should do well despite a six point merit-rated raise. Nero has the form to go close in this race from a good draw.
In the last over 1600m Inala has just her second career sand start, having finished a close up second in her first attempt over 1400m in April, and she is now three points lower in the merit ratings and will prefer this trip. Furthermore, she is by Windrush whose progeny love the Vaal sand. Mind Games has been given a four point raise for his good second over 1200m last time out. However, he has found consistency lately and drawn in pole over a more suitable trip. White Christmas enjoys this course and distance and should earn again.
David Thiselton
