The Vaal Inside turf track stages a nine race meeting tomorrow. It is usually the low draws that are favoured at this track and punters should also have a good look at the horses in the parade ring and the canter past which will give them an edge at a time of the year when there can be some good value dividends available.

In the first race over 1400m Tripadvisor is the form choice as her formlines are strong, she will appreciate the step up in trip and Piere Strydom is up from a favourable draw.  Frosty Friday is an interesting first-timer being by Western Winter out of a Noverre mare that won a Gr 3 over 1200m.Capricious could provide fair value for a place from a favourable draw having shown improvement last time out.

In the second over 1200m Strydom could notch up a quick double as he rides the promising Kwinta, who finished just over three lengths behind Siren’s Call in the Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng Fillies Guineas and was a facile winner over this course and distance last time out when wearing first time blinkers. She could well be running off a capped merit rating here as she was given the maximum eight point raise for that last win, so she could go in again. Poderosa won second time out over 1000m despite casting a shoe and looks a fair sort in the making, so she has to have a chance running off a 76 merit rating with a 1,5kg claimer aboard. Black Belverdere had some decent Cape form before being suspended for bleeding and she won well over 1400m last time out in her second run on the Highveld. She could be a threat from a favourable low draw as she prefers further so will be doing good work late. Lady Al is 4kg better off for a 4,5 length beating by Kwinta over course and distance. However, the bigger danger to the selections could be Shepard One, who appeared to run below par last time when well beaten by the first two mentioned.

In the third over 1400m Chapel Oak is a typically strong daughter of the exciting new sire Ideal World, whose progeny usually show notable improvement after their debuts and she has a 1,5kg claimer up. Picardi Pink comes from some strong formlines over shorter and should be thereabouts from a favourable low draw as long as she puts her below par run against a stronger field on Sunday at Turffontein behind her. Sweet Habanero has run two good races at long odds and the form of the last of them over 1400m at Turffontein has worked out well, but her high draw might make it tough. Bespoken has run a couple of decent races over 1200m and on a line through Well In Flight has Picardi Pink beaten, but on the other hand Well In Flight showed considerable improvement when beating Picardi Pink. Cash In Camilla is drawn on the right side but was disappointing over 1160m last time out and has something to prove.

The fourth is a weak maiden over 2400m. Bevelled Edge almost stole a 2600m race last time when slow away and then leading, so he should get every inch of this trip and could give Strydom another winner. Mr Balboa stayed on steadily over 1600m on debut in a weak field and gave the impression he would enjoy this trip. Chesa pulled hard early last time over 2000m but has shown signs of ability before and if settling could surprise. The Golden Boy has finished strongly in weak staying events before so could earn. Balli Miracle ran a fair race over 2000m last time and now has Fortune up.

In race five over 1700m Netflix looks an immature sort with plenty of ability so he will be improving all the time and he has a better draw than last time. Scare Tactics made late progress over 1600m on Turffontein Standside in his penultimate start and should appreciate a return to a galloping track, although he does have a wide draw to overcome. Striking Night was running on last time and finished just over a length behind Netflix. Elusive Seven has fair form and is drawn well but there is a question mark over the trip. Counting Silver was running on to be just over three lengths behind Netflix last time and could improve.

In the sixth over 1700m Counterstroke could follow up on his eyecatching maiden win as he looks to have scope and should relish the trip on pedigree. Kingkovsky won over 1600m in his penultmate and Strydom is now back aboard.  Cashmere Kid is having his third run after a rest over a suitable trip. Glitter Alley could shape if at his best. Amber Sail is another one to consider from a good draw.

In the seventh over 2000m Inala ran a fair race when stepped up to this trip last time and could be the one to side with here from pole position. Jezero has done well over further in two runs since winning his maiden over this course and distance. Rock The Country, having done well in Zimbabwe’s biggest handicap races, has to be considered alongside Coby and Leeuloop Jet who both have the ability to win this.

Pacific G makes most appeal in the eighth. He does tend to come from off them so hopefully can find a good position from a high draw before producing his usual strong finish. Nahoon Beach has come down to an attractive merit rating and could provide some good value here. The consistent Perfect Grace is drawn in pole and returns to the distance of his maiden win.

The speedy Woodrose looks the one to beat in the ninth over 1200m from a favourable draw with a 1,5kg claimer up. Varanese and Kings V make most appeal of the rest.

By David Thiselton

Picture: Piere Strydom