David
Thiselton
There
is a ten race meeting at the Vaal today and the highest rated race is a MR 96
Handicap over 1000m which could be won by the speedy Sorceress Supreme.
The
Erupt filly won second time out on the Highveld by three lengths off a merit
rating of 95 in a Graduation Plate over 1,200 metres. She has since only run in
feature races and last time out was far from disgraced when 3.2 lengths behind
Cape filly Mai Sensation in the Gr 3 Dennis Drier Poinsettia Stacks over 1200m.
She has been dropped two points since then and is drawn on the right side by
trends, so should make a bold bid. Richard The First is a decent sort and
should also be right there over a suitable course and distance.
Passage
Of Power has a nice high draw and comes off a close up finish over 1160m off
the same 95 merit rating. Halberdier has a lot of ability and from a nice high
draw under an in-form Malesela Katjedi could bounce back to form. Warm Winter
Night is in good form at present but was beaten 2,85 lengths by Passage Of
Power last time and they face each other on the same terms and Passage Of Power
looks to have a draw advantage too.
In
the first leg of the pick six, Pioneer Square has been knocking on the door
since his first start and now steps up to 1800m which could suit being by
Querari out of a Mambo in Seattle mare, although his dam only won once over
1400m. Phil the Fluter is a hard knocking sort who went close last time over
1600m and being by Vercingetorix out of an Al Mufti mare he could get the trip,
although the mare did only win once over 1200m. Heroic Act has gone close in
his last two over 2000m so will have no problem with the trip but does have a
wide draw to overcome. Bold Action has shown some fair form including a second
place finish over 1700m metres and she has drawn in pole. She’s an interesting
runner as a two-year-old filly against older males. Future King has shown
enough to be involved in the finish.
In
the fifth race over 2,400 metres, Stop the Traffic has run some fair races over
middle distances and being out of a mare by stamina influence Traffic Guard could
see out the trip, despite being by Willow Magic. The mare did win second time
out over 1600m. Alakanani has placed twice over staying trips before and could
be in the shake-up here, although he would have to confirm his recent form.
Blurred Vision has done well in two starts since being stepped up to 2000m and
is interesting over a further step up being by Potala Palace out of a Daylami
mare. Rainy Season has always looked to be a staying sort and has gone close
over this distance before. He is interesting here carrying bottom weight after
an improved run with blinkers on last time, although he is officially 2kg under
sufferance. Flag Bearer bounced back last time after two below par runs and the
last time he went over course and distance he finished a fair second.
In
the sixth race over 1,600 metres Unsolved Riddle made a good Highveld debut and
is now drawn in pole position with Craig Zackey up and he should make a bold
bid based on his fair Cape Town form. After Hours is a consistent sort who
comes off a good close-up second over 1,500 metres and from a good draw he
should enjoy this trip. Sneak Preview did well over 2000m last time but is also
suited to this course and distance, although she does have a tricky draw of 7
out of 10 to contend with. Sail the Sky has the form to be there but she does
have a tricky draw. Viva de Janeiro is capable of earning in this
line-up.
In
the seventh race over 1600m Tried And True is drawn in pole over an ideal trip
and can bounce back to form despite remaining seven points higher than her last
win which was over this trip. Pretty Analia will find a strong finish as usual
after being dropped out from a draw of seven. Quantum has run some fair races
over this trip and could be involved. Accept Cookies has a wide draw to
overcome but is ultra consistent, although she does still have to prove she
stays the trip. Silver Parasol disappointed last time, but should relish the
step back down in trip.
In
the ninth race over 1,000 metres Hemisphere makes plenty of appeal having now
had three starts on the Highveld and doing well in all of them, including
winning over this trip. It’s Personal is a hard-knocking sort who is distance
suited, but he does have the trickiest draw of all from barrier position one.
Phantom Express has a low draw too, but has the form to be involved. Prince of
Kildare only has a low weight to carry and is interesting stepped down in
trip having earned numerous times over 1,200 metres and beyond. What A Tiger
could be involved if bouncing back under Piere Strydom.
The
first leg of the Bipot sees Tenjiku returning from a three month layoff, but
the form of his win last time when stepped up to 1400m has been franked and he
could be the one to beat. Mighty Eagle won easily over this trip category last
time, but does have a wide draw to overcome. Red Amber flew up late from well
back in the running last time to win and is not out of it. Royal Jacket has
shown ability and getting weight from the winners could be a big runner.
Redlightgreenlight only has 1,40 lengths to make up on Royale Jacket.
In
the first leg of the PA Lunar Rainbow has some fair form and her best run was
over this trip. World Tour improved last time when stepped up to this trip, but
does have a tricky draw to overcome. Nkwenkwezi has shown enough to go close in
this race.
The
first race over 1500m could be won by Miss Novax, who made a good winning debut
and the form has been franked, and on pedigree she will enjoy the step up in
trip and is drawn in pole.
The
tenth race could be won by the ten-year-old mare Samoa, as she is drawn on the
right side with Gavin Lerena up and has gone close a couple of times over this
trip recently.
