Low draws hold the key
THE Vaal Inside track stages a competitive nine race meeting tomorrow and the low draws usually tend to be favourable on this track. The first race is a Workriders Maiden Plate over 1 400m and Barbarella Nights is made the best bet on a card where it was difficult to find a best bet.
In his last start over 1 200m he was unlucky.
He was cramped for room and forced inwards and then had to switch back outward for a run.
By the time he got going it was too late, although he was finishing well and on that evidence should stay this step up in trip. Connect could be the main danger. He is not a bad looking type and has faced a few fair types without being disgraced.
He didn’t settle 100% perfectly last time in his first try at this trip, so if he does settle better this time he could be a threat.
The first-timer Silvan Saint is interesting too as he is by Silvano out of a two time-winning sprinter by Al Mufti who has produced three multiple-winning sprinters.
Furthermore, his connections are two high profile owners Mary Slack and Michael Javett and he is from the yard of champion trainer Sean Tarry.
The value bet on the card is La Vida Banco in race six, a MR 67 handicap for fillies and mares over 1 700m.
She is by Bankable, whose progeny appear to come into their own in their four-year-old years.
However, in her last few starts, all with blinkers on, she has twice cost herself by over racing twice.
Last time out she was tried over the too sharp 1 400m and was outpaced before staying on strongly.
If only she could run a similar race over 1 700m she would have a shout and she has been given every chance to as the blinkers have been removed.
Furthermore, she has a good draw. The obvious horse to beat is Cape Marigold, who finished close behind Parisienne Chic and My Friend Lee over course and distance last time and the latter pair both won next time out.
On the downside Cape Marigold has a wide draw, but Gavin Lerena is aboard which will help her cause.
Kahlua Rose has won three out of seven starts and looks to be progressive, so she will also be a big danger.
The best class race on the card is the fourth, a Graduation Plate over 1 000m. Old Em is 5kg better off than any other horse on official merit ratings and is effective over this trip.
However, she is not only up against the boys here, which is never easy for a filly, but she has also been under a cloud. In her penultimate start last June she was found to be not striding out and was then given a five month layoff, but in her next start in the Magnolia over 1 160m she was once again not striding out and finished 17,6 lengths back.
Tarry is not the champion trainer for nothing and he and his veterinarians have likely got to the bottom of the problem by now, so Ole Em is still tipped to win. Al Azraq is second best in at the weights. He has always been highly regarded and ran a cracker over this trip last time.
All Night Flight was not far off Al Azraq there and could earn again.
Approval Mode has shown signs of possessing plenty of ability.
His worst race, last time out, came in soft going, so if the ground comes up fast enough he could threaten for a Bipot position.
Clever Guy has done little wrong to date, having won his maiden over 1200m by 5,5 lengths and then finishing a 7,75 length fifth in the Listed Secretariat to the classy Matador Man.
He showed speed in his maiden win, so could easily upset here.
The other three are Dragoon, Fort Infinity and Mia Culpa and they all look to have hopeless tasks at the weights.
Vee Man could be a fair bet in the seventh, as he will likely appreciate the step down to 1400m with second time blinkers on. In the eighth Intandokazi has been reinvigorated by the refitting of blinkers and could follow up on his flying win last time out. Rhyme Or Reason looks an obvious form choice in the last event.