Bank on speedy Wellspring
THE Vaal outside track stages an eight race meeting tomorrow and in the current fast going hedging bets by playing exotics like the Jackpot appears to be the way to go.
In the first leg of the Jackpot, a Maiden over 1 000m, Wellspring could be a possible banker as one who has plenty of speed and now faces an uninspiring field over a drop in trip which should suit.
Piere Strydom was caught late aboard him over 1 200m at this course in his penultimate start and he is now back aboard two runs later.
On the downside he is a horse who tends to find one or two too good, although some of the horses who have beaten him have been fair sorts.
Singaswewin has not been disgraced in handicaps in his last two starts over 1 000m and 1 200m respectively so must be considered, although if this were a handicap he would be receiving 2,5kg from Wellspring on official merit ratings.
Toby Coates has gone close over this trip before too, so can’t be ignored.
Bling Ball
Bling Ball improved last time over course and distance and is another one with ability and he must also be considered for the Jackpot.
Countess Varovski is improving and is better drawn than she was when a fair fourth against a weak field over this trip on Turffontein Inside on Saturday.
The two first-timers are Behind The Fire and Life From Stone.
Behind The Fire is by Mogok out of an unplaced Announce mare, whose dam was a Grade 1 SA Fillies Guineas winner, although the latter hasn’t produced much to date.
Life From Stone is by Judpot out of a onetime winning Caesour mare, who has only produced one winner from a few foals.
The second leg of the Jackpot is a typically difficult MR 64 Handicap over 1 400m for fillies and mares.
Nitrogen went close the last time she tried this course and distance in June and is off a five point lower merit rating, so should go close.
Chapati beat a promising looking type in Noceur over 1 600m at this course last time when exiting the maidens and the latter duly won next time out on Saturday.
Chapati had the difficult number one draw to contend with in that win, so the number four draw should not hold much fear for her and her starting handicap mark of 59 could well be an attractive one.
Shine Bright, the last foal of the good sire Goldkeeper, is a talented but enigmatic sort who has run three fair races with blinkers on and over a suitable trip off an attractively reduced merit rating she has a chance.
Heaven’s Door, who has improved with cheek pieces, ran a good race from the front over course and distance last time and is effectively off the same merit rating, so could go close.
Hatfield Square seemed a fair sort when winning her third career start over this trip in November 2015 and she should be back to her peak having had three runs since recently returning from a year’s long layoff.
She can’t be ignored off a merit rating six points lower than her last winning mark.
In the third leg of the Jackpot the in form St. John Gray yard have two runners who could fight it out.
Lake Kinneret was a bit outpaced last time over course and distance but impressed when he found his stride and came away to win in commanding fashion.
He has a nice stride and looks to have plenty of scope so he could follow up despite a difficult merit rating of 81.
Var’s Your Daddy
Var’s Your Daddy should relish the step down to the 1 400m trip here and S’Manga Khumalo has been doing well for Gray lately so is an eyecatching booking.
They are also drawn on the right side by trends. Aquabuoy is reunited with Piere Strydom and is an outsider who could pay to side with as he is only one point higher in the merit ratings than when wining with Strydom up in May.
In the last leg of the Jackpot Claret Cup impressed last time out and can follow up off just a four point higher merit rating.
Lady Negra has improved and looks the only danger.
In the first leg of the Pick 6, Tandava returns to a sprint at the course where he won impressively, so could represent fair value. However, it is a wide open race.
In the last leg of the Pick 6, the talented filly All Over The World is up against the boys and has to carry topweight, but she will relish the step down in trip and has dropped to an attractive merit rating. This is also a wide open race.