Captain Of Tortuga gets the nod
The Vaal stages a nine-race meeting on the straight course and it looks to be competitive racing so the exotics might be the best way to play it.
The Egoli Mile is the headliner and Captain Of Tortuga looks the one to side with. This progressive Captain Al gelding is out of the top-class Ebony Flyer and caught the eye staying on over 1450m last time. He has plenty of scope for improvement.
Lumber Jackaroo
Lumber Jackaroo has caught the eye in both of his starts and including a win over this trip last time and can be a threat off a reasonable 77 merit rating. Indy Ice had some good maiden form and is also a threat with a low weight.
Protea Paradise was beaten just a head at level weights by subsequent Cape Derby winner Atyaab over 2000m in December but this might be on the sharp side and he has to carry a big weight. The filly Mazari was not disgraced on Saturday against some good sorts and can earn.
In the first leg of the PA over 1200m the Grade 1 Allan Robertson winner Mighty High is well in at the weights on official merit ratings but might not have it all her own way.
She has been touched off in her last two starts over 1160m when having to give lumps of weight away to the promising All At Once but could make amends here. She has pace, a good turn of foot and stays all the way to the line. Palace Chapel was not disgraced in fourth in the CTS 1200 when held up off the pace and running on so has a fine chance of upsetting Might High.
In his penultimate start over this course and distance he beat Old Man Thyme, who then franked that form by winning a strong handicap next time out over 1100m.
State Trooper
The imposing State Trooper has come into his own and is another who is in with a shout. Anneka is not far off Palace Chapel on Met day times if the weight she is receiving is taken into account. Witch Of The West is also a talented sort and should have benefitted from her last run, although that was over three months ago on November 1 when not far off a very promising sort. Mighty High looks to be a PA banker but there is a lot of talent in that race so going wider would not be foolish.
In the first leg of the Pick 6 Flapjack looks to be the best horse in the race and it is just a question of whether he will stay the 2400m trip.
His sire Await The Dawn should have given him the necessary stamina genes although he is out of a Jet Master sprinter. He has a good record over 2000m so if ridden patiently from a high draw should get the trip.
Born Rich ran well last time over course and distance and being by Noble Tune should be improving. Adolpho has run on well over 1800m in his last two starts and is another in with a shout. French Leave’s best recent run has been over 2000m so he might enjoy a further step up. Smart Deal had fine earlier form over staying trip and last time was just 0,25 lengths behind Born Rich over course and distance.
In the first leg of the Jackpot over 1000m Sugoi is by the disappointing sire Noordhoek Flyer but is a chip off the old block, being a well-muscled red chestnut and he has also been blessed with the speed of his father so he can make it a third win over this course and distance off a merit rating which still looks competitive.
Brigtnumberten
Brigtnumberten had his third run after gelding last time and bounced back to form when beaten 1,40 lengths by Sugoi. He is now 2kg better off and he will be involved off a merit rating which has dropped to an attractive mark. Heavenly Risk should be right there as he has not been disgraced in two Assessment Plates lately and has his third run after a layoff off a competitive handicap mark.
In the sixth race over 1600m, Manitoba looks the one to beat in a competitive handicap. He has been knocking on the door from 1400m to 1600m and now gets a 4kg claimer aboard. Divine Connection won his penultimate start comfortably over this trip and although raised six points he caught the eye next time out when staying on over this trip from a wide draw, beaten just 1,4 lengths by Manitoba who was better drawn.
Arlington’s Revenge goes for a distance hattrick in ordinary handicaps.
His last run in the Gauteng Guineas can be ignored as he was not suited to a pace-making role.
Those three should get punters through the exotics.
In the eighth over 1400m, Prince Jordan has the strongest form and relished the step up to this trip last time so is the one to beat off just a two-point higher mark.
Cherokee Grey ran well from a tough draw last time and also has a chance on the weight turnaround with Prince Jordan. Street Flyer and Refuge both enjoy the course and distance and should be thereabouts.
Wottahottie and Rocky Path are others to consider. The Tin Man probably has the most ability here but is hindered by breathing issues.
In the last over 1400m, Manhattan Cocktail ran on strongly last time over this trip and if closer to the pace can get it right. Melchizedek has talent but has issues and he is interesting returning from a layoff which would likely have benefitted him.
Gone With The Wind, Master Boulder and Savannah King also warrant consideration in a competitive event.