Pachanga can finally get it right
PUNTERS face a few tricky decisions at the Vaal tomorrow. There are a number of races that are impossible to predict with any confidence and there are a couple that look to be obvious bankers. The quandary is whether you take a chance and bank the like of Aeronautical in the seventh and Pachanga in the eight and load up in the other legs of the exotics, or do you load all legs with as much as finances allow.
Azzie
The lightly raced Aeronautical out of the Mike and Adam Azzie yard has only had three starts and finished runner-up in his last two. He stays the trip well and if merit ratings are anything to go by, he should prove difficult to beat.However, there are a pair of three-year-olds that caught the eye on debut and both are stepping up to a trip which, on pedigree anyway, looks more suitable.
Blame Game comes from the powerful Sean Tarry yard and was staying on nicely on debut over 1400m while Popsicle Toes was only run out of it late when making his debut over 1800m. Both should improve so it may be prudent to include both to provide back-up to Aeronautical.
Pachanga has not been out of the money since joining Ashleigh Fortune’s yard but it is a little worrying that she never seems to make it past the eventual winner, finishing runner-up in her last five outings. She was touched off a piece of paper last time out and maybe this time Gavin Lerena can get her home as she tries 2000m for the first time.
These two will be popular exotic bet bankers for the smaller investor as they will be hard-pressed to get through the balance of the card unscathed.
The opening leg of the PA is an Assessment Plate for fillies and mares where Railtrip is likely to be a popular choice. However, Chesney van Zyl’s filly has shown her best form over further and is returning from a break which could open the door for the likes of the lightly raced Captain’s Princess who contested strong feature races last season. She is smart and at best should feature prominently along with Vivir, who should be more at home over this trip.
In the opening leg of the Pick 6 Bien Venue sprinted up well in his seasonal debut and has shown plenty of ability. The extra should also suit. Of the balance, Orpheus showed up well first time back after gelding. He is lightly raced but has potential. Deerupt takes on some useful males but cannot be written off even though she took a little time to shed her maiden. She has not been out of the money in five outings.
Endofmarch
The fifth is a tough handicap made even more difficult it being a race exclusively for apprentice riders. Endofmarch started a short-priced favourite for his new stable but finished down-field but he had some useful Cape form before that and may be worth another chance. Pachuco came from a long way back to finish third last time out. He has a light weight and an experienced apprentice aboard. Gonnafly has been taking on stronger at recent outings.
Trip To Paradise
He takes another merit rating drop and with a 4kg claimer up can be dangerous while Trip To Paradise came from well back to finish in the money last run and a repeat should see him competitive again.The sixth is wide open. Come The Day continues to improve and was a game winner last time out. He is bred for this trip and can follow up. Odd Rob is an obvious danger having been in the money in his last four. He was closing fast on Come The Day last time out but didn’t quite get there so there should not be much between these two again. American Indian tried to make all in that same race but faded late. Given a more patient ride he could do better. Psychic ran well below ability last start at Turffontein but his best showings have been on this course so can make amend.