The Vaal has an interesting nine race card today as some useful sorts will be seen in action.

Gavin Lerena

In the first over 1200m, Red Heart is an imposing filly by Trippi and is a full-sister to the useful Listed winner Sunset Tripp, who has won up to 1400m. With a better start than last time she could use her natural sped to overcome her high draw. Spring Dance was backed on debut in a strong maiden and had no luck throughout. Bally Swiss showed pace on debut, when finishing second, but over raced a bit in the opening stages and had no answer to the finishing run of the promising Jungle Mist. The form has worked out well. Matresse is by Silvano out of a four-time winning sprinter by Model Man. Lady Yahoo is by Jay Peg out of a one-time winner over 1200m who dam is a half-sister to the champion filly Arabian Lass.

The second is a maiden over 1600m and Flying Silver looks the one to beat having finished strongly over 1400 second time out and now drawn well. Sao Paulo is by Trippi and is a full-brother to Listed KZN Guineas Trial runner up Trip To Rio, so could improve over this trip. Gains Tax is drawn in pole and should appreciate the step up in trip and Peg O’ My Heart and Topography could also earn.

The third is a maiden over 1600m. O’Brien The Lion has done well from the front in his last two starts over 1400m and has been tried over as far 2400m, so should be suited to this trip and his formlines are relatively strong. Hermoso Mundo is by the promising sire Ideal World out of the champion mare Escoleta Fitz and should not only improve on his decent debut over 1400m but will relish the step up in trip. Koncealed was taken out at the 150m mark last time over this trip at Turffontein when staying on strongly so would have got closer and his overall form has worked out well. Kanonkop was caught late over 1400m on debut and on pedigree should enjoy the trip although the concerns are another high draw and a breathing noise made on debut. Beunos Aires was 2,35 lengths behind Kanonkop last time and could improve. Like A Master was not much further back and should enjoy the step up in trip. A P Emblem made a fair debut and could improve.

The fourth is a Graduation Plate over 1200m. Jolie Roger is third best in at the weights and could be the one to beat from a fair draw coming back down to this trip of his impressive maiden win. Buckland has good early pace and is unbeaten in two starts over course and distance but has a tough draw. African Ruler beat Buckland over 1400m and has good form over shorter. Joe Malone is the best in at the weights on official merit ratings and could be a factor despite having his second run after a suspension for epistaxis. Machismo has some eyecatching form and could also be thereabouts.

The fifth is a MR 92 Handicap over 1400m and Bulleting Home over raced last time over 1600m, yet still won easily. He looks to have come into his own and can handle an eight point raise over a step down in trip he should appreciate. Brad’s Surge could be a threat having landed a good draw for a change. Prince Jazeem returns from a layoff but is drawn n pole over an ideal trip and the Tarry yard always have them fit enough. Move Like Jagger is course and distance suited and consistent. Captain Aldo is a consistent sort but has to handle a merit rating six points higher than he’s ever run off after his recent win. Rock Me Var is talented but might be stretched by this trip. Be Mine Tonight is the only female involved and can’t be written off over this suitable trip.

African Ruler (Nkosi Hlophe)

The sixth is a MR75 Handicap over 1400m. Var Bay is in good form and went close over 1450m at Turffontein last time so looks ready to win again. There is not much between Var Bay and Wottahottie on form. Both these first two selections have tough draws which is a concern. Son Of Approval is 1,5kg under sufferance but appears best at this trip and has a good 1,5kg claimer up, so could provide good place value from a plum draw. Mann’s Inn, who also has an unfavourable high draw, narrowly beat Wottahottie last time over course and distance but is 0,5kg worse off. Angelus Belle could be a factor from a fair draw if reproducing his run in September over course and distance.

The seventh is a MR 74 handicap over 1400m where Gavin Lerena is booked to ride My Treasure who has a touch of class and should have benefitted from his last run. Rock On Rebel is well drawn and finished fast last time over course and distance. Bah, who has always been held in good regard, is running off an attractive merit rating and a suitable trip so could get closer than last time when hampered late. Nkomo loves this course and distance and will produce a strong finish, so could be thereabouts if not starting too slowly. Russian Steward goes well for jockey Munger and stayed on well over course and distance last time.

The eighth is a MR 72 Handicap over 1000m and Manx Park is in and out but from a good draw and a 4kg claimer up is the one to beat if he has a going day. Cannes could make a bold bid from the front from pole position. Clean Cut and Dream Leader should be involved if overcoming high draws and Atso Cool has to be included after an easy maiden win over course and distance.

The last is a fillies and mares MR 68 Handicap over 1000m and Shiver N’ Shake looks to be the one to side with from a good draw with Lerena up. Vanda could be a contender from a good draw over a suitable trip. Cute Lady could feature if bouncing back off a much reduced merit rating. It’sgottobeme is down to a winning mark and has a good draw over a suitable trip. Stairway to Heaven improved without blinkers last time and if repeating could go close again. Lena Laptev and Ride Of Honour have to be considered too.

By David Thiselton