Mutrib to get it all together
Asuccession of maidens and lowly handicaps all with big fields, will not make life easy for punters at the Vaal tomorrow. That said, if one manages to successful negotiate the maze, it should prove a profitable afternoon
All the races are down the straight barring the Sonal Jackpot Special, sixth race on the card, An MR 66 Handicap over 2 200m.
After starting his career on a winning note, Mutrib looked to be something special and given his blue-blood pedigree there were no doubt thoughts of a stud career for the son of Street Cry.
But after a succession of disappointing performance, Mike de Kock resorted to the vet and Mutrib was gelded after his three-year-old career.
He has had two outings this term, where he showed good pace before fading late but should be cherry-ripe for this event although, like all the races on the card, the list of possible winners is a long one.
Wonderous Climber was an expensive yearly buy but a long way from recouping his sales price.
However, Sean Tarry’s gelding has shown improved form since returning from a break and looks a likely threat along with Cardiff Castle who make marked improvement when tried in blinkers and who also boasts some useful form over ground.
Favourite Model
In the opening leg of the Pick 6, Favourite Model has been struggling to shed her maiden but has never been far back.
Piere Strydom stays with Paul Matchett’s filly after coming from the clouds to run second last time out and a win should not be long in coming.
Johan Janse van Vuuren has been cleaning up in KZN and What A Thrill, much improved at her second outing over course and distance, could prove the main threat.
Janse van Vuuren also saddles Torio Lake in the fifth.
The gelding had patchy form last season but after a lengthy break appears to be finding his feet. This will be his third start this term and he improved nicely second up from the break.
He is well suited to this trip and Gavin Lerena stays aboard.
Roman Flight lost his way after shedding his maiden but made sudden improvement at long odds last start.
The Azzie team may now have got to the bottom of his problems and along with Sovereign Rein and Judd’s Rocket should be worth including in all exotic bets.
In the seventh, there were a number of runners that were in action last Thursday so it would be advisable to check the card changes before structuring your bets. Seventh Rule was one who was a beaten favourite last Thursday, finishing close-up to The Tin Man but he has been knocking at the door for some time now.
Quattro was another narrowly beaten on Thursday and is never far back. He too should be right there again. After winning his penultimate start, Pius Oil disappointed with the blinkers removed when five lengths behind The Tin Man. The blinkers are back on here and he can make amends.
The filly Promise has improved at recent outings and was a touch unlucky last run at Greyville.
If she can repeat that effort, she too is in with a shout.
The numbers will have been stacking up before the eight but Elusive Butterfly and Hafla could help to cut costs in the eighth.
Lucky Houdalakis has been relatively quiet in recent months but Elusive Butterfly won her first two before returning from a break in an assessment plate where she caught the eye behind the smart Redberry Lane.
She should make good improvement on that showing.
Hafla
Hafla is down in class and has been showing good form in stronger company while the lightly raced Western Dance, like Elusive Butterfly, warmed up in the same assessment plate and she too shows some promise.
In the final leg of the Pick 6 there should not be much between Fortuna Doro, Gold Scent and Durban Bourbon who all met last time out.
Fortuna Doro showed good pace in that race and was only caught late.
Gold Scent is improving all the while, while Durban Bourbon is lightly raced and was possibly in need of her last outing. Another to consider is Shezahotti who has been consistent and Strydom stays with the ride. It’s a seriously difficult card but the rewards will be sweet.