The Vaal stages an eight race meeting on the Turf Inside track tomorrow and low draws are usually favourable on this track.

In the first the Judpot gelding Mister Potter was green on debut when caught late after running on from behind and with expected improvement he could be the one to beat from a favourable draw. Ashantee is much more exposed but could overcome his high draw with his early pace and has the champion workrider aboard. It looks to be a two horse race.

The second is a very weak maiden over 1000m and Kahal filly Fair Colour could be the one to beat. She was eased out of it after setting the pace over 1200m from a wide draw on the Turffontein Inside track last time, but before that she went close over this trip with first time blinkers when hold up tactics were used. The two-year-old Vanda ran well in her penultimate start over this trip on the Turffontein Inside track and could be the danger although all of Indemnity, Crimson Rose, Phuket, Strictlycumdancing, and Roxy Dancing have to be considered in an open race.

In race 3, a fillies and mares maiden over 1400m, the two-year-old Oracy filly Matilda’s Daughter will enjoy the extra trip and should have come on from her debut over 1200m when showing up well before fading late. Another two-year-old Nurse Harriet has shown decent form and should be right there, although the high draw makes it difficult. Victor’s Castle is an improving sort who is course and distance suited and she is a big runner here too.

The fourth is a MR 72 Handicap handicap over 1400m and Game Of Thrones might have hit the front too soon last time and could make amends here over a suitable trip from a nice draw with Gavin Lerena up. Fort Eagle impressed in his easy maiden win over 1400m last time out, so could also be in the shake up. On The Nod has been thereabouts lately and has the draw in his favour over a suitable trip with champion jockey S’Manga Khumalo aboard. Rainbow Star makes some appeal after his much improved performance to win his maiden over 1200m last time out, but he must overcome a tough draw. Devious Tiger and Kahal Legal could also be involved if able to overcome their high draws.

The fifth race is a MR 80 Handicap over 1200m and in form horse and jockey combination Call Kelly and Andrew Fortune are well drawn over a suitable trip so look to be the pair to beat. Foyle was running on well last time over 1160m and should go well here from a good draw. Talktothestars has improved with blinkers and is another who will likely be in the shake up from a favourable draw with Lerena up.

The sixth is a fillies and mares MR 67 Handicap over 2400m and it looks to be the right race for Casual who has run on well over 2200m before so should stay the trip and is well drawn. Celtic Heroine has done well with front-running tactics recently and goes for a hattrick over a trip she should get as she made late progress before that over 2200m when finishing just under four lengths behind Casual, although she is now 6kg worse off. Noor Dubai is well drawn and could improve off a lowered merit rating.

The seventh is a MR 74 Handicap over 2400m and Elusive Flyer ran well last time over course and distance despite casting a shoe, so could be the one to beat off the same merit rating. Noble Star is seven points higher in the merit ratings since winning that race, but Piere Strydom is back on board from a good draw. Frikkie has strengthened into a fair sort and could be involved despite being raised seven points for running second over 2600m last time out.

The last is a maiden over 1400m and Nation Builder, who was green on debut over 1000m after being backed from 25/1 into 9/2, should relish the step up in trip and is the one to beat with Lerena up. Gold Status is an improving sort and could be a contender despite a high draw as this is not a strong field.

By David Thiselton

Picture: Piere Strydom