Chance it on Forest Fox

PUBLISHED: 21 August 2017

Forest Fox (JC Photography)

The Vaal stages an eight race meeting on the Inside track tomorrow and the last meeting indicated little draw bias on a track which usually favours low barrier positions so there look to be a few opportunities for punters.

Forest Fox (JC Photography)

Forest Fox (JC Photography)

The highest rated race is a MR 94 Handicap over 1400m and this an ultra competitive event in which any of the ten contestants could win. Forest Fox represents the in form Paul Peter yard. This horse used to be an enigmatic sort but has become consistent with age and is ideally distance suited. He is only three points higher than his last win, which was a 2,5 length romp over this course and distance last October, where he jumped from an unfavourable high draw. He has another tricky draw of eight by trends, but last week’s meeting gave horses a chance no matter where they were drawn. He will be ridden by in form Weichong Marwing, a further plus. National Key has dropped to a competitive merit rating and his penultimate start over this course and distance can be ignored as he pecked badly at the start and was never in it.

He followed with a fair run at Turffontein over this trip from a wide draw and is now drawn in the middle. Trading Profit has showed lately what can be done when a horse drops to an attractive merit rating and has reeled off two wins on the trot over 1400m and 1600m respectively. He has gone up seven points in total for the two wins but he is still 12 points lower than his highest winning mark. This is likely his ideal trip and he has a low draw of two. Kings Archer is another one who is ideally distance suited and he is knocking on the door off his current 89 merit rating.

Raymond Danielson

Raymond Danielson

Another late charge can be expected in the cool hands of Raymond Danielson. Arctica returns from a layoff since March and this is an ideal course and distance for his return and Piere Strydom is aboard from draw one. This decent sort has won after a layoff before. Just As I Said is a speedy and ultra consistent sprinter and can’t be written off in the fast current conditions, despite 1400m likely stretching his stamina reserves. The rest of the field all have the ability to win but might need their respective runs.

Earlier, there is an interesting MR 84 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1000m. Jameson Girl has the speed and the ability to stay on so should go close carrying just 54,5kg from the number one draw. She is held by Lady Starlett on the form of their last meeting at Turffontein, but on the form of their last meeting over this course and distance Jameson Girl is comfortably ahead of the latter on paper. Levi Lady has a lot of speed and in the current fast conditions will be a threat carrying 54kg. Spring Wonder beat a good field last time over 1160m and has only been given a two point raise, but she has to carry 62,5kg which will not be easy against some of the speedsters here. La Roquette won her maiden well and her last run, after being backed, can be ignored, as she had no sort of luck.

Later there is a Graduation Plate over 1800m in which Jubilee Line is weighted to win. This horse was held in high regard by the Mike de Kock yard, but never fulfilled his potential and now has his first run for Scott Kenny. He is drawn in pole over an ideal course and distance as he winds up before staying on strongly so the long straight will suit him.

Sam Mosia

Sam Mosia

The meeting starts with a Workrider’s Maiden Plate over 1200m in which Tammany Hall will be hard to beat on the form of her debut when mixing it with the like of subsequent Grade 2 Golden Slipper runner up Let It Flow. Her rider Phelisile Mongqawa had a winner last month, so will be confident. However, the first-timer by Silvano Penny From Heaven, who is a full sister to the useful Penny Serenade, will have the good workrider Chamu Mabaya aboard and Orinoco Rock, who could be a threat if reproducing her Cape Town form, has former champion workrider Sam Mosia aboard.

In the third over 1400m, Kitty Pride was beaten just over three lengths by subsequent Grade 1 runner up Rockin’ Russian in a 1200m race on debut and the form has worked out exceptionally well. She showed pace there and in the current fast conditions can stay on despite debatably having a slight stamina doubt. Ninjara caught the eye staying on strongly over 1200m on debut after being slow away and outpaced, so will relish the step up in trip. San Fermin is a well-bred Australian-bred with Strydom up, so is another interesting runner.

In race five Goodytwoshoes has turned the corner and is still merit rated only 67 so can continue on her winning ways.

In race six Open Road has some decent form and was even tried in a Grade 2 race as a two-year-old. He has proved competitive off her current lowly mark of 65 and can score her second career victory over a suitable trip.

The meeting closes with a staying event over 2400m and Houston Rocket makes appeal here as a typically progressive son of Ideal World, who looks likely to relish the step up in trip having stayed on well over 2000m last time. His stablemate Inn A Million was ahead of him in that last mentioned race but is now 1,5kg worse off for a 0,75 length beating. Eastern Pearl ran well over 2450m last time and before that was a 1,25 length third to Inn A Million over 2000m and is now 1,5kg better off and carrying only 52,5kg, so will also be a big runner.

By David Thiselton