David Thiselton

The Vaal Classic track stages a ten race meeting today and the third race could see Dyce’s full-brother Stoneywood progressing once again.

This three-year-old William Longsword gelding is improving as he strengthens and  is growing into a strongly built sprinter who could possibly follow in his brother’s footsteps, although Dyce actually had precocious talent too. In this MR 99 Handicap for three-year-olds over 1200m Stoneywood carries just 54,5kg and should rise above his 88 merit rating. He faces another progressive sort in Speedman, who has won three from four and his only loss was when tried over 1600m. Speedman has to give 3kg to Stoneywood, which will not be easy. However, he has drawn in pole compared to Stoneywood’s draw of two, so he will have the advantage of being able to claim the rail for free. Titan Of The Turf makes his fist appearance as a three-year-old having won on debut as a juvenile and then finishing a 0,40 length third in the Gr 2 Umkhomazi Stakes over 1200m at Hollywoodbets Greyville.

The sixth race is a Middle Stakes event over 1600m and The Playboy Bomber makes appeal, although he does have a tough draw of nine out of ten to overcome. He is only half-a-kilogram under sufferance with the best weighted Dark Silver. The latter beat him by half-a-length over this trip last November and  if apprentice claims are ignored Dark Silver is now 3kg better off, so should beat him again on paper. However, Dark Silver was beaten 11,25 lengths in his last start over 1800m three months ago and has not run since, so he could well need this. The Playboy Bomber has won over 1800m and then finished second over 200m in his last two respective starts. However, he is effective over this trip too. The Playboy Bomber was beaten 4,75 lengths by stablemate Birthright when they last met over this trip last July and The Playboy Bomber is only 3kg better off.  However, The Playboy Bomber does seem to be coming into his own. Birthright has also been in fine form and will try and make it two wins in a row, but he does have to overcome a five point raise. Topweight Bob’s Your Uncle sticks to shorter trips these days, but actually has a good record over 1600m, so he is a runner from a fair draw of five. Hotarubi is talented but quirky and inconsistent so can’t be relied on but can’t be ignored. Dark Silver must be considered at the weights, especially considering that if apprentice claims are included he is a whopping 9,5kg better off with The Playboy Bomber, despite having beaten him by half-a-length when they last met.

The seventh is a MR 92 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1800m and the scopey sort Duchess Of Paloma can defy the handicapper again. Cocomelon has been off form but has come down to an attractive merit rating and should go close. Azaleas For All has been in good form and should be in the shake up. Art Nouveau has the form to earn here. Teo Torriate can never be ignored.

In the eighth, a MR 82 over 2000m, World Order could bounce back after a bit of a disappointing run last time in a small field. He has a good draw and should enjoy the step up in trip. Naretoi has plenty of talent and can go close again, but does have a wide draw to overcome. Councillor has been knocking hard in KZN and has a chance over an ideal trip, although he returns from a two-and-half month layoff. Mocha Frappe has always caught the eye and might start delivering. Gimmeachoice is consistent but does have a wide draw.

In the ninth over 1000m Tiger Storm has a nice middle draw and should be right there in this line up. Inafix is drawn on the right side and is always capable of popping up. Blindfire enjoys this course and distance but is drawn on the wrong side. Pivotal Role has good form but also has a tricky low draw. Palace Revolt can be involved if repeating his last start.

In the first leg of the Pick 6 over 1600m Top Floor is going the right way and should get it right third time out over a suitable trip. Pompeii Shield should finish on top of Top Floor on the form of their clash last time. Rock My Boat has shown enough to be able to earn here.

In the second leg over 1600m Future Gamble only just failed last time and should have come on from the run, which was her first on the Highveld. Miraculous Moment made a good debut over 1160m and should relish the step up in trip but does have a tricky draw. Blood Of Eden will enjoy the step back down n trip and should be in the shake up. Lanteri has faced good sorts and never been disgraced so has a shout here. Keep Warm ran a decent race first up on the Highveld and should be in the shake up.

In the tenth over 1450m the progressive Trail Runner is well drawn and off a four point higher mark can score the hattrick.

In the first race over 1200m Proud Mary could be the one to beat as this first-timer is by Vercingetorix and is a half-sister to dual Gr 1-winning sprinter and now sire Thunderstruck.

In the second over 1200m first-timer Sheriff Bill Brown is by Buffalo Bill Cody out of a Black Minnaloushe mare who has produced a dual winner from just two runners. First-timer Gone Cold is by Gimmethegreenlight out of a Captain Al mare and he’s a half-brother to a horse who won first time out over 900m.  The Bronx Bull made a fair debut and should improve.