David Thiselton
The eight race Vaal meeting on today should be a good one for punters and starts off with Northumberland looking hard to beat in the first race.
The Visionaire gelding showed pace on debut and stayed on well for a 2,0 length third to Sherlock Holmes, who had just come off a close second to Prayersandpromises, who in turn has good formlines. Northumberland should improve and the threats come from the first-timers. Northumberland has been priced up at 14/10 by Hollywoodbets and this is due to the Robyn Klaasen-trained first-timer Cosmic Cap having been backed in from 28/10 to 18/10. The latter is a gelding by Captain Of All out of a two-time-winning 79-rated Master Of My Fate mare. His pedigree does not compare favourably to some of the other first-timers. Billion Stars is by William Longsword and is a half-brother to the like of Tail Of The Comet. Raptor KIng is by New Predator and is a half-brother to WSB Met runner up Legal Counsel. Sands Of Valhalla is by Erik The Red and is a half-brother to a couple of multiple winners. Those runners are 6/1, 7/1 and 6/1 respectively.
In the second race over 1200m, the Sean Tarry-trained Alice B Toklas looks difficult to oppose. She dwelt at the start on debut, losing two lengths, but ran on strongly late with a good action, finishing 2,75 lengths ahead of Platinum Shay. Malesela Katjedi has been kept aboard, while Keagan de Melo is aboard the first-timer for the Tarry yard Storm Avalanche, who runs for the successful owner Kenneth Pillay of Kestorm Investments. Storm Avalanche is by Rafeef out of a moderate one-time-winning Dynasty mare and she has been backed in to 4/1 second favourite. Platinum Shay finished nearly five lengths ahead of Tax Free when the latter made her debut but Tax Free looks to have scope for improvement. Pista Resistance is by Chimichuri Run and is a half-sister to a Bezrin filly who won on debut before following with four poor runs.
In the third over 1800m Twelfth Or Never is the one to beat if her last run in a workriders maiden is ignored. Before, that she looked to be on the up and looked likely to relish this 1800m trip so a line can just be drawn through that run and she is chosen to win this uninspiring event. Royale Jacket did well to stay on for a three length second last time over 1700m considering he had to be used up early to overcome a wide draw. The winner of that race, Sand Script, started favourite in a race over 2000m on Sunday but did Royale Jacket’s form no favours as she was beaten ten lengths, albeit from a wide draw. However, Royale Jacket does now have a better draw of four and should go close. Asiah’s Tiara beat Royal Jacket by four lengths when they last met, but that was a below par run by the latter as he had previously lost to the winner of that race, Terrence, by 1,20 lengths as opposed to 6,60 lengths and he had beaten Samuel Sharpe, who then beat him by 3,70 lengths. Royal Jacket can bounce back, as there is not much between him and Asiah’s Tiara if that last run is ignored. Greenside Giel has shown some ability and can earn here. Emerald City can be in the shake up if producing her best.
In the fourth race over 1800m Gimmesuluv looks set to come into her own over a suitable trip with De Melo up. Cool Reggae ran a cracker over 2000m last time and could be right there. Vixeninthevineyard should also be in the shake up.
In the fifth over 2400m Battleground is a useful stayer on his day and in form Marx-Jacobson should suit him. One More Star enjoyed the trip last time and has a fine chance. Damova is in good form and goes well for this jockey. Futurewolff won well over this trip last time and has a chance off a three point higher mark with Yeni up from pole position. Diesel’s Showdown needs to improve on his recent form. Romeo’s Magic needs to bounce back to form.
In the sixth over 1400m King Harald has some class and should go close over a trip which looks ideal. Golden Operator won well last time and the progressive sort should be right there again. Wild Intent is the best weighted but returns from a layoff since the Summer Cup, so will likely need the run.
In the seventh over 1200m Green Flash has speed and can stay on too and although she has not run for three months she won the last time she ran fresh. Roaming Spirit has the form to be a contender. Blizzard Snow is capable of popping up and can’t be ignored.
In the eighth over 1200m Lovable looks to be on the up and after a good run last time against a fair sort she can go one better. Miss Novax has been knocking on the door and should be right there. Wise Counsel is the one best fancied of the rest as she beat a fair sort easily in the maidens last July over 1450m and could run well fresh over this trip after a long layoff.
