The Vaal stages an eight race meeting on the sand tomorrow (Thursday) and punters who have done their homework could once again be rewarded on a track that usually produces an upset result or two.
In the first race, a Maiden Plate for fillies and mares over 1200m, Tripadvisor and River Empress have both had breathing issues and will wear tongue ties, but have very little to beat. River Empress has done quite well in her last two starts on the sand over 1000m and 1200m and is drawn well with Piere Strydom up and the form of her last start has been franked so she is tipped to win. Tripadvisor has quite strong turf form and being by Trippi she is likely to love the sand. She is drawn in pole position from where she can use her good early pace and Gavin Lerena rides, but she did make a severe breathing noise last time, which is a concern. Narnia has tied up in her last two starts, both behind good sorts in KZN, and if her muscular problems are behind her she could surprise.
The second over 1000m is one of four interesting Pinnacle Stakes events on the day that have attracted good horses. However, this one looks to be at the mercy of Trip Tease, who is 5,5kg better off with any other horse on official merit ratings. Furthermore, in eight starts over course and distance this Trippi gelding has won seven of them. His stablemate Varbration won the Flamingo Sprint over this trip, where he showed his liking for this sort of surface, and is second best in at the weights, so could follow him home. Another stablemate Wishful Heart is a progressive sort who caught the eye when winning over course and distance last time out. Will Pays has shown glimpses of class so could be better than his merit rating suggests and he could surprise. Duty Dance is having his first start on sand but has an ideal pedigree for this surface so is another dark horse.
The third is a Pinnacle Stakes race for fillies and mares over 1000m. The Lucky Houdalakis yard are in devastating form and Drifting Dusk bounced back with a convincing win over 1160m on the turf last time out. On pedigree she should take to the sand well and Piere Strydom has kept the ride, which speaks volumes. Twilight Tiger has a good record over course and distance and meets Drifting Dusk on the same terms as she would in a handicap. Sarve is the best in at the weights and if bouncing back from a below par run last time when cut into she will be right there over a course and distance she enjoys. Jade Vine is second best in at the weights and will have benefitted from her last run, but she would likely prefer a touch further. Miss December is an improving sort who is course and distance suited and weighted to finish level with Twilight Tiger and Drifting Dusk but the number one draw is not ideal by trends.
The fourth race is a Maiden Plate over 1800m and the Mike de Kock-trained Mooghamir will be hard to beat over a trip he will relish. Il Duce is likely to improve over this trip and could chase the selection home. Yours And Mine has shown the odd glimpse of ability and could be s surprise place earner over a course and distance he could well enjoy.
The fifth is a Pinnacle Stakes event over 1450m in which many of the R1 million Supreme Cup entries will be having preparation runs. The De Kock-trained Capricorn Ridge is under sufferance but caught the eye last time when unlucky in the Flamingo Mile and from pole position draw he could surprise. Stablemate Alghadeer looks to be the yard elect but jumps from a wide draw and this trip could be a touch on the sharp side, although he is sure to be finishing strongly. Another stablemate Mootahadee is having his third run after a rest and will appreciate the step up in trip, so could be dangerous. Olympic Bolt could make it a De Kock quartet as he is in fine form, although he would prefer a touch further. Raise The Red is unbeaten in two starts over course and distance but returns from a long layoff for the in-form Houdalakis yard.
The sixth is a Pinnacle Stakes event over 1450m for fillies and mares and De Kock could be in the winner’s enclosure again with Ahlaam, who is interesting over this step down in trip having blitzed them over 1600m in her penultimate start. She seems to always do well against her own gender and Anthony Delpech is up from a good draw. Peep Show should be improving being by Ideal World and should be finishing strongly from a fair draw with Strydom up. Lady Of Kildare has won three in a row on the Greyville poly off her lower turf rating. However, she enjoys this course and distance too and could earn again.
The seventh is a MR68 Handicap over 1450m and Diesel Power disappointed over 1800m last time and will likely appreciate the step down in trip so he could present good value from a good draw off a lowered merit rating. Celtic King is potentially well handicapped having bounced back to form and winning twice on the turf meaning his sand rating is now eight points lower than his turf rating. He is drawn well over a suitable course and distance. Angel Gabriel did well last time when attempting to steal it over course and distance and he has the same draw and runs off the same merit rating.
The last is a MR68 Handicap for fillies and mares over 2000m and Imperial Empress could follow up on her facile recent win here over 1800m as she is now drawn at the opposite extreme in pole. Bellevue won a weak maiden easily over 1800m on the sand last time and could earn again off a merit rating of only 62. Final Score stays well and could plug on for a place.
By David Thiselton
Picture: Gavin Lerena
