The Vaal stages a ten race meeting on the Outside turf track today and there look to be one or two opportunities for punters.

In the first race over 1000m Oculus was backed on debut in a similar field and finished a close second despite losing a length at the start. The Houdalakis yard are in fine form and although Oculus is now drawn on the wrong side by trends he has Strydom up and looks to be good enough to win. The Berry Lady has been knocking on the door and over this trip from a favourable draw can get away with her breathing issues. Antagonist has improved since dropped down to sprints and should be finishing strongly again.

In the second, a maiden for fillies and mares over 1400m, Nowuseeme Nowudont caught the eye going down last time and in the race over 1200m in which she was unlucky, being baulked for a run before finishing strongly. She should love the step up in trip and has a favourable draw. Angel Of Mercy has run two good races, including on debut over course and distance and should be thereabouts from a favourable draw. Elusive Prophecy represents the in form Houdalakis yard and finished well to be close up last time despite making a breathing noise.

In the third, a Maiden over 1400m, Kununata is a talented but difficult sort and he over raced over 1600m last time. He will appreciate the step down in trip but is drawn on the wrong side according to trends so won’t have it easy. Sands Of Time pulled up lame last time but if back to his best has a form chance. De Lujo could be involved if reproducing his best run. Bridegroom Bertie has run two fair races and was still green last time so can improve. William Nicol made a good debut over 1200m in an uninspiring field and should enjoy the step up in trip, although he does have a tricky draw.
In the fourth, a Maiden over 1400m, Kinaan comes from strong KZN maiden formlines and is drawn on the right side over a step up in trip he should enjoy. Baylisiana was green on debut when staying on over 1450m for a 1,6 length third so with natural improvement will be right there. Seven League Boots is by Mambo In Seattle and is a half-brother to the useful Star Jet.

In the fifth, a MR 86 Handicap over 1300m, African Ruler won well second time out over 1200m having finished second in a maiden where the form has worked out very well. This well-bred Trippi gelding should improve over this trip. Angel’s Power has won both of his starts over 1000m and will relish the step up in trip, but he has to give 1,5kg to African Ruler. Roman Calamity beat a fair sort over 1450m in a maiden in June and then finished eight lengths back in the Gr 1 Premier’s Champions Stakes over 1600m. He faded late in the latter event so might enjoy the step down in trip.

In the sixth, a MR 90 Handicap for fillies and mares, Gain Ground is a well regarded, progressive sort who is drawn on the right side with Delpech up and starts off on a reasonable merit rating. Firstimesacharm won convincingly on debut and can improve further, but does have to give the first selection 1,5kg and has a low draw. Intergalactic was hampered last time on the Greyville poly but had shown signs of good ability before that and could also earn.

In the seventh, a MR 91 Handicap over 1200m, Talktothestars, having faced a good field at Scottsville last time when beaten 2,3 lengths over this trip, might appreciate a return to this easier track and could resume winning ways. Gambol will appreciate the step down in trip and could be a threat. Dennisthemenace showed he is competitive off this merit rating last time and could earn.

In the eighth, a merit rated 72 handicap over 1200m, Supanova rallied back to win his debut over course and distance and the form has been franked so he could win off a lowly Merit rating of 63. Cosmic Tom, who represents the in form Houdalaksi yard, ran a good second over course and distance last time and jumps from a favourable draw off the  same merit rating with Weichong Marwing now up. The Gobi bounced back with a fine run over 1160m last time and a repeat of that effort under S’Manga Khumalo could see him involved in the finish.

In Race nine, a MR 68 Handicap over 1600m, Limited Edition ran on well over this trip on the Turffontein Inside track last time and is interesting from a favourable draw. Flaming Ace is in good form but was raised five points for his second place over 1800m last time. Lundy’s Star won a maiden well over course and distance last time and starts his handicap career off a reasonable merit rating.

In Race ten, a MR 69 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1600m, Miristocrat has loved the step up to this trip and looks to have promise so could win this from a favourable draw with Gavin Lerena up.

– David Thiselton