The WSB Grand Heritage has been split into two races and moved to Turffontein Inside track as the Vaal racecourse has not improved sufficiently yet to stage it.
The two races will be called the WSB Grand Series leg 1 and leg 2 respectively, both run over 1475m, and a potential match race between the two winners will take place in December.
Mardi Gras (JC Photographics)
The original Grand Heritage favourite Mardi Gras has a harder task than he would have had in a 28 horse field down the straight as he has drawn wide and looks to have ended up in the stronger of the two heats. Furthermore, his chief rivals have generally drawn well. However, he has class, a good turn of foot and as a four-year-old son of Oratorio who is improving and is having his third run after gelding he looks to be ahead of the handicapper off a 90 merit rating. He is thus tipped to win but Gavin Lerena will have his work cut out from draw eleven. Tsitsikamma Dance had some useful Cape Town form and won his Highveld debut nicely over 1400m. He is likely to have come on from that run and now has blinkers on from a nice draw of four. Zouaves is another classy runner in the field and he has landed a plum draw of three over an ideal trip. Daffiq caught the eye running on well last time over 1450m and is well drawn in six and over an ideal trip. This is his third run after a layoff and as he was at one stage well regarded by former trainer Mike de Kock he has a shout off a mere 82 merit rating. Full Of Attitude won well over 1450m last time and is drawn in pole but he does have a five point merit rating raise to overcome. Danza is distance suited and Mujallad can’t be ignored despite a wide draw. They are selected in the order mentioned.
In the first leg Rings And Things is selected as the best bet on the card in her third run after a layoff. This classy Querrari filly finished just two lengths behind the subsequent Grade 1 Rising Sun Gold Challenge winner Undercover Agent in the CTS Mile and yet is merit rated just 85. This is an ideal trip and she has a good draw of five. Soldier On looks to be a progressive sort and has a plum draw of two, although he would prefer a mile. Divine Odyssey is a progressive sort who is well drawn over a suitable trip and he has the advantage of Gavin Lerena aboard. Purple Diamond has a tongue tie and blinkers on and has the ability to go close from a good draw over a suitable trip. Chepardo ran a good preparation race over 1450m here from a tricky draw and he should have come on from the run so can earn despite another unfavourable draw. Hakeem is distance suited and has dropped to a competitive mark but has a tough draw.
In the WSB Grand Heritage Series Consolation race Big Mistake will be hard to beat. He ran second last time to the classy filly Mighty High and now has his third run after a layoff. It is also his third run on the Highveld and his third run as a gelding so he should be cherry ripe to deliver over a step up in trip to 1475m which he should relish as he was making good late progress in his only career attempt at 1400m. The dangers could be the progressive filly Gimme Hope Joanna, who only has 50kg to carry, and the promising Flying Winger, who is coming off a pleasing comeback effort from a nine month layoff.
The fifth race could see the improving Until Dawn following up on her last victory. Gold Shades, who has dropped to an attractive merit rating, and the promising youngster Chitengo look to be the dangers.
In the first leg of the Pick 6, an Assessment Plate over 1450m, Social Order is well weighted and could run well fresh over a trip a touch sharp, and Silver God and Rule The Night should also make their presence felt.
The last leg of the Pick 6 is a typically tricky staying race and Santa Vittoria is tipped to prove herself better if ridden from off the pace but all of Goede Hoop, Glamarous Scandal, Parisienne Chic, Knysna Rose and Emerald Lady have to be considered too.
By David Thiselton
