The Vaal Classic track is a fair track and offers form studiers the chance of deserved returns so they will be looking forward to tomorrow’s nine race meeting.
However, the card is made tricky by the first three legs of the exotics, which are all over 2400m, as staying events can throw upset results.
The PA starts with a MR 74 handicap over 2400m. The obvious horse is War Legend, an improving four-year-old gelding by Oratorio who has a win and a narrow second at two attempts at staying distances and is only two merit rated points higher than his last win. However, he is drawn widest of all in the seven horse field. Highlander has been running on strongly over 2000m in his last two starts and could be looking for this trip. Zeal And Zest has a chance of staying this trip being by Traffic Guard and this in form horse is only two points higher for his last win, although has a big weight of 60kg to lug.
Santa Vittoria (JC Photographics)
Big Parade ran a close second to Made To Conquer over 2000m at Kenilworth in June and now has his second run after a rest and gelding so could bounce back to form after a string of below par runs on the Highveld. Tapanzee is an enigmatic sort but has ability on his day and is only two points higher for his win last time over 2850m. Miyoshi is drawn in pole and is interesting stepped up to this trip being by the stayer Admire Main. King Of Chaos will need to improve on his Highveld form to date.
The first leg of the Pick 6 is a Maiden for fillies over 2400m. Lalia and Lana Turner are progressive sorts and have the best form so a chance is taken that they are enough to get punters through all of the exotics. One Dollar Massage is the joker in the pack a she might enjoy the step up in trip being by Await The Dawn out of a Jet Master mare who won over 2000m.
The first leg of the Jackpot is a Middle Stakes for fillies and mares over 2400m. Sailor Girl is out of Gold Cup winner Colonial Girl and ran on well to won her first attempt at a staying distance last time. She is drawn in pole and is officially the best weighted horse, although she does have to carry 60kg, which won’t be easy considering she beat the boys last time carrying just 52kg. Just A Jet is a capable sort and has a win and a third in two starts over course and distance and should be involved. Her habit of starting slowly might pan out in her favour in this small field as she will be able to slot in behind them and has a good turn of foot. Glamarous Scandal is 7,5kg better off with Sailor Girl for a 2,9 length beating over 2000m and being by Traffic Guard has a chance of staying this trip. However, she will have to put her last two disappointing starts behind her.
In the fifth race Santa Vittoria caught the eye when winning her maiden over this 2000m trip and she ran well first time out the maidens so can do well here from pole position. Mambo Model won well when stepped up to this trip last time and off a four point higher mark from a good draw can be involved again. Gottalottaluv has some class and her last race was all wrong so from a draw of two she can’t be ignored.
In the sixth race over 1800m Elegancia goes for a hattrick. She is four points higher in the merit ratings after her win last week. The Cape Town horses often have suppressed merit ratings due to the superior strength of the racing there and a succession of victories is feasible. She has gone close over 2000m before so should stay the trip and looks to be a possible banker, although her wide draw is a concern. Beautiful Shay was most disappointing last time and from pole position off an attractive two point lower merit rating this able front-runner warrants consideration. Angelic Appeal went close the last time she had a good draw and she is the other one who can be included.
In the seventh Winter’s Forge is thrown in at the weights and the only question is whether she will stay the trip. She has a lot of speed, but did do well over 1400m in her penultimate start and on pedigree will stay the trip as she is by Western Winter and is a three-parts sister to a horse which won a Listed race over 1900m. If there is to be an upset it could come from Pearl Of Bahrain, who has been disappointing since showing early promise. She is drawn well over an ideal trip and is distance suited.
The last race has a banker consideration in Choir Singer, a scopey sort who will relish the step up to 1600m and she is well drawn. The risk averse can also include Ration My Passion who is well drawn and has her third run after a rest and second run with blinkers over a suitable trip.
By David Thiselton
