Silver Spine looks the business
THERE is a full card of ten races on the Vaal Outside track tomorrow and there look to be one of two opportunities for punters. In the first race over 1200m Silver Spine can boost the bankroll before the exotic bets start. This gelding is by Silvano out of the Grade 1 Cape Fillies Guineas winner Sparkling Gem and he looks the part. He is a rangy sort and was probably only undone by the unfavourable high draw last time over this trip on the Vaal Inside track. He showed pace throughout and was caught by the late-charging Seventh Son. He should have come on from that run. He has another high draw and although this used to be an advantage on the Outside course, this is no longer the case. However, it does not appear to be a disadvantage. The main danger is King Of The Bay, who went close over the Vaal Inside track 1200m last time, also from an unfavourable draw. The form of that race has been franked by the runner up State Trooper, who has come out and won twice since. The first-timer Limestone Mass can’t be ignored being by Rock Of Gibraltar and a half-brother to a Listed winner.
Quick Glimpse
The second race over 1200m is intriguing, as there are no standout horses. Quick Glimpse is the selection as she showed pace over this trip back in September and drops back to it after a couple of races over 1 400m, including going close last time. Peppermint Tea had a wall of horses in front of her last time over 1 000m, so had to switch inward and was making up some ground late. She looks a fair sort and will likely relish the step up in trip. Tick-tack-toe stayed on well for second in yielding going over 1 160m last time. The concern is she was already a four-year-old when making her debut and she had to pushed along for almost the entire race.
However, if the latter fact was just due to inexperience, rather than a lack of pace, she should be right there.The first leg of the PA over 1 400m should be fought out by two progressive Silvano fillies, Amanika and Believe Me. However, the former is the more imposing looking of them and is tipped to win and be a banker for the PA. In the next race it is easy to see why Kentucky Blue cost over a million rand on the looks front and he is chosen as a Pick 6 banker. He started awkwardly last time over 1 200m but was stretching out well at the line for a fast-finishing 1,75 length fifth. Being by Dynasty he will be improving and will relish the step up in trip.
Dreams are made of
Dreams are made of, who nearly made all at Greyville last time over 1600m, and What A Story, who chased home a promising sort over 1200m last time and should enjoy this trip, are the dangers.The handicaps start in the first leg of the Jackpot, where Emily Jay could make it four-in-a-row having lately begun fulfilling the talent she has always had. She has also proven suited to the drop down to 1 400m and a mile and can defy the handicapper again with Lyle Hewitson remaining aboard. Alileo and Sylvan On Fire should also be in the shake up. Tammany Hall is an eyecatching daughter of the good sire Await the Dawn, so can’t be ignored in her comeback run. Maleficent once looked destined for big things so has to be considered in her second run after a long layoff.
The next race is open and going wide is advised, although Shelly ran well over this trip last time and now has Strydom up off a one point lowered mark.
Pillar of the earth
In the seventh, Well Connected is in fine form and should be improving being by Silvano so is tipped to beat Boatswain, Pillar of the earth, Baahir and Seven Lives.
The last leg of the Jackpot is tricky but Mademoiselle won well on debut despite playing up a bit in the preliminaries, so she can follow up off a reasonable 72 merit rating and can beat Opera, Shifting Shadows, A majory and Moggie Brown.
The last leg of the Pick 6 is a lower division sprint and all of The way we mak em, Seventh Son, Supanova, Bling Ball, King Of Mani and King Of Shaka are suggested for the Pick 6, although going wider if possible would be even better.