The Vaal stages a nine race meeting down the straight and the exotics look catchable.

The first race of the day is a Maiden Juvenile Plate over 1200m and the Soft Falling Rain filly Makara has some pace and will appreciate the step up in trip, having been up there and staying on when not disgraced against the exciting Gin Fizz. Mill Queen was staying on strongly over 1000m on debut behind a fair sort and the form has worked out well, so it would be no surprise to see her beating the first choice. Dive Captain showed pace on debut over 1000m and although she does not have as much substance as the first two choices she should earn here as none of the first-timers make much appeal. Black Tie was staying on from well back on debut over 1000m and can not only improve but will enjoy the step up in trip. However, she is held on formlines by Mill Queen. Margot’s Magic finished ahead of her there and could possibly confirm the form as she was staying on well late. Malteza was green on debut when three lengths behind Makara and can improve.

The first leg of the Bipot will be fought out by three promising sorts, Comaneci, Lady Lexington and Dancing Queen. They are chosen in that order as that is how their form reads.

The first leg of the PA over 1400m yields a banker in Undiscovered Gem. She has been close up to three fair sorts from 1160m to 1400m and the form has worked out well. She faces an uninspiring field and will be hard to beat despite being the only filly in the field.

The first leg of the Pick 6 over 1600m could be fought out by the trio Josi Di Nero, Cape Ash and Bated Breath. All three have some substance and scope for improvement and will enjoy the trip. They are selected in the order mentioned. The others do not have much to enthuse about.

The first leg of the Jackpot also looks straight forward on paper. Hafla is a talented horse and might have benefitted from her 110 day layoff as she has a touch of class which she is yet to fulfil. This will be a suitable trip running fresh. Saints Alive likely did no stay the 2000m trip last time and before that was well beaten in both the Gauteng Fillies Guineas and the Three Troikas. However, her form in this sort of company reads well and this is an ideal trip. State Star is best in at the weights and should enjoy this trip, so has to be included.

In the sixth over 1500m Royal Italian created a good impression last time as he was expected to lead or be handy and then kick on as he had done in his previous start, but instead he was dropped out and produced a flying finish. This shows a versatility associated with class and he is on the way up so can overcome a three point raise and win off an 81 merit rating. Nordic Rebel is the one to beat on paper as he is 2,5kg better off with Royal Italian for a one length beating over 1450m. However, he is a five-year-old and will not be improving like Royal Italin is. Lake Kinneret has to be considered too as he has been close up to some decent sorts this season and was a touch unlucky in the Grand Heritage over 1475m.

In the seventh over 1500m Electromagnetic has caught the eye before and has his third run after a layoff off a merit rating dropped three points. He is usually slow way but this should allow him to get a tow in a big field and he is capable of running on well. This trip could be ideal too. Orapa looked to have plenty of promise early in his career so has been disappointing overall. However, he has dropped to a mark just two points higher than his last win and if he can reproduce that effort, which was over a 1450m trip, he should go close. Snorting Bull is an interesting runner having his third run after a layoff and gelding. He has presence and will appreciate the step up to this trip, although it will still be on the sharp side for him. Those three could be enough to get punters through, although others to consider are Manitoba, Baahir and Visigoth.

In the eighth race over 1200m Mythical Bolt had some good form in Cape Town and is held in good regard. State Trooper has always had ability and is coming into his own so those two should fight it out.

In the last race Soul Of Wit was unlucky from a tough draw around the turn last time and has a high draw down the straight now so can make amends. Generous Notion is fulfilling the promise she had always shown and it would be no surprise to see her make it two wins on the trot. Florence ran well first time out the maidens over the too sharp 1000m and now steps back up to her winning trip. Gold Dawn has excellent recent form over this trip so can’t be ignored. Arikel didn’t enjoy blinkers last time and on pedigree should enjoy this step up in trip. Colour Of Light and Ninjara were two former talented sorts who have become disappointing but they are off lowered merit ratings and could bounce back. Rock Pigeon, Twelve Oaks and I Ain’t Trippin are also capable of winning it.

By David Thiselton