David Thiselton

The Vaal Classic track holds an intriguing nine race meeting today which should give exotic and on the nose punters come opportunities.

The headliner is likely the fifth race, a Graduation Plate over 1200m. Richard The First was beaten 5,30 lengths over by Raven Black in his penultimate start and the latter who followed up with another easy 3,25 length win. He was then beaten seven lengths by the crack colt Main Defender in the Gr 3 Graham Beck Stakes when receiving just 2kg. He finished just 1,25 lengths behind the 106 rated Sovereign State in the latter race. He is just 1,5kg under sufferance with the best weighted Tsar Bomba here and has a fair draw of four. Silver Tudor, also 1,5kg under sufferance with Tsar Bomba, has draw five in his third run after a layoff so he should get closer to Richard The First than he did the last time they met when making his reappearance and beaten 4,20 lengths. He has plenty of ability. Tsar Bomba is consistent and distance suited but does have a tricky draw of six. However, he should be right there as the best weighted runner. Godspeed is 5,5kg under sufferance with Tsar Bomba, but has shown signs of ability. One Fell Swoop has run two good races on the Highveld and considering her good draw and Tony Peter’s ability to do well with former Cape Horses she can’t be ignored despite officially being 3,5kg under sufferance with Tsar Bomba.

The previous race is the first leg of the Pick 6 and is a Middle Stakes event over 2400m. Flying Bull’s last two runs over this trip have been well beaten third place finishes to Zeus, but the latter has come into his own and is regarded by Fabian Habib as the best he has trained. It is also now Flying Bull’s third run after a layoff and he is just half-a-kilogram under sufferance with the best weighted. Rule Book is lazy at home so would have come on from his last run 12 days ago. He is also officially just half-a-kilogram under sufferance and has a fair draw carrying just 52kg over a suitable trip. Professor Snape is one of the joint best weighted and looks to have scope for further improvement so will be a contender from draw three. Battleground is another one of the joint best weighted runners and is proving to be a useful stayer. However, he has to bounce back from a 20 length defeat by Zeus, where Flying Bull was 13,25 lengths ahead of him. Nothing amiss was found  by the on course vet that day. Mambo Come Tesio is a promising stayer who is also a joint best weighted runner and he would not be a surprise winner either. He is in fact 6kg better off with Flying Bull for a 4,25 length beating last time which puts him ahead of the latter on paper.

The eighth race is a MR 86 handicap over 1600m and looks competitive. However, Dungeons strikes as a  decent sort who is on the up and this trip should be right down his alley plus he has a fair draw of five. Royal Mo is having a fine trot as a sire at present which indicates his progeny take a bit of time and this augurs well for Mo The Man, who is five points higher for his last win over this trip and he is now drawn in pole.  Fort Lauderdale won well when stepped up to 1450m last time and his pedigree suggests he needs this trip at least. Bob’s Your Uncle has a lot of talent but has to overcome a wide draw. Archimedes and Captain Of Grit could both earn.

In the sixth over 1200m the progressive Esquevelle has landed a plum draw of three as he attempts to follow up on his easy Highveld debut win. He is seven points higher in the merit ratings but considering his record with blinkers on reads three wins and a third in four starts he could have more to come. Strydom stays aboard. Chocolate Bomb is capable of better than last time and is well drawn. PrinceOfGreen is interesting stepped back in trip and he also looks to be on the up since blinkers have been applied. Siberian Steel is in fine form and only three points higher for his last win but he has a tricky draw of seven. Pinch Hit is a capable sort on his day.

In race seven over 1450m Duenna has won over 1200m and done well over 1600m so the 1450m trip should be right down her alley from a good draw. She should be progressing being from the Stuart Pettigrew yard. Coming In Hot has fine recent form over this distance category and is well drawn so will be dangerous. Full Go is capable of running on, so from pole position is interesting in his first run out the maidens over the same course and distance and off a reasonable merit rating. Parker Getrix is in good form and can be right there is able to overcome a tricky draw. Godfather always tries hard and is well drawn.

The  last race over 1450m sees Sweet Basil returning having won her debut in May over 1400m. She only has an 80 merit rating but has a wide draw. However, this race is ultra competitive and as many as possible must be included.

The first leg of the PA over 2000m should be fought out by Romeo’s Magic, Viva Brazil and Kambulu, the former being a reliable sort and the latter pair up and coming. 

Earlier, Karoo Gold, being by Ideal World, should love the 2000m trip in the first leg of the Bipot.

Breath Of Magic looks the one to beat in the first race over 1500m, a workriders event where he will be ridden by the accomplished rider Siyabonga Mkhumbuzi.