The Vaal stages a nine race meeting on Thursday and Speedpoint looks to be the one to side with in the highest rated race, a MR 95 handicap over 1000m.
This Joey Ramsden-trained Var colt’s nemesis down in Cape Town is the outstanding sprinter Dutch Phillip and the latter would likely doddle this race. Speedpoint hasn’t run since moving up well and finding no extra in the CTS 1200, before finishing a decent fifth. That race suggested he would prefer 1000m and he can get away with it running fresh over this trip. He should outclass the field. All Night Flight loves this course and distance having finished in the frame here eight times out of 13 starts. Furthermore, he has landed a plum stand-side draw and has dropped to an attractive merit rating.
Sporting Monarch has plenty of speed and has also dropped to a competitive mark. Jockey Craig Zackey knows him well and he could present good value for a place. Greasepaint is seven years old but is has been close up to some good sorts in his last few starts so is not slowing down. Unfortunately he has a low draw which could be against him. Brigtnumberten is a much improved sort who has not been disgraced in features in his last two starts. He is drawn one but might be able to overcome it if necessary as he possesses good early pace. Marmook has shown signs of ability and can’t be ignored after a short layoff. Seven Lives beat Brigtnumberten on the same terms last time and can also place. Whorly Whorly is another who is capable of placing.
Dutch Philip (Liesl King)
In the eighth race over 1600m Topweight Trading Profit won well the last time he ran over this course and distance and the 4kg claim of Dylan Lerena nullifies the maximum eight point raise he was given so he looks the one to side with.
In the last race Keanan’s Rock could go in for the back in form Sean Tarry yard. This big gelding by Seventh Rock has been seen to stay on well from distances of 1200m up to 1500m so he should relish this 1600m trip. He has a favourable high draw and looks to be coming into his own. Bush Pilot has always struck as a decent type and he showed a glimpse of that last time when winning easily over this course and distance. He was given a five point raise but could have now turned the corner and if reproducing his best will be a big threat from a plum stand-side draw.
Nawaasi could tentatively be made a PA banker in race three, but the risk averse should consider one or two others. The Var filly was backed into 9/10 on debut and was squeezed and then scalped so had excuses for a disappointing sixth place. However, she did not create the impression of being a world beater and she has a potentially tricky low draw here. Milesend looks to have a fair formline but also has a low draw. Fire Side should improve on her promising debut being a Lucky Houdalakis-trained daughter of Ideal World.
The first leg of the Pick 6 is also tricky. Best Kept Secret has been disappointing considering she is exceptionally well bred and cost R5,25 million. However, she has not been disgraced in her last two starts in features and has an easier task back in a handicap, especially considering the handicapper has lowered her two points. She is drawn in the right side and has a chance but others must be included with Twelve Oaks and Tammany Hall being the most fancied of them.
In the next leg the topweight Colour Of Light is a banker possibility as she looks to have some class and could still be ahead of the handicapper. However, beyond her it is quite open.
In the seventh race the topweight is also the choice, Great Shaka, as he is ultra consistent and it is not an inspiring field. Smoke, a half-sister to Sporting Monarch, has caught the eye and starts off handicapping on a reasonable mark but has a tricky low draw.
By David Thiselton
