Epic Dream can do it with a touch of class
THE Vaal stages a nine race meeting tomorrow and it is competitive so the exotics look to be the best way to play it.
In the first leg of the PA over 1 200m Epic Dream has a touch of class and has speed too so is going to be hard to beat in an otherwise uninspiring field.
Jackpot Jewel made a good debut and should improve but he was just over a length behind Summer House over 1 160m and the latter wears a tongue tie for the first time so could confirm the form.
The first leg of the Pick 6 is an interesting Assessment Plate over 1 200m.
Dancing Queen and Ouro are the best in at the weights but the one who will definitely stay all the way to the line is Lady Lexington.
She has a tough task at the weights according to official merit ratings but has a nice big action and looks to have plenty of scope for improvement so could cause an upset.
Dancing Queen
Dancing Queen started with an inside draw last time and ended on the outside when only managing fourth despite starting at odds of 8-11.
She tries 1 200m for the first time and on pedigree will get the trip.
Heaven’s Reward won her first two starts over this trip and can bounce back to her best in her third run after a layoff as she was a close up fourth last time over 1 400m to three horses who went on to compete in the Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng Fillies Guineas, including the useful Ronnie’s Candy.
Ouro was a touch unlucky last time when just 2,35 lengths behind Running Brave over 1 100m and the latter went on to finish a close second in the Gauteng Fillies Guineas over her preferred mile trip.
She is impossible to ignore and must be included in the Pick 6. Rock A Roll Dancer is also a promising sort and is the dark horse in the race over a suitable trip, although it is her second run after a layoff.
In the first leg of the Jackpot Generous Notion struck as one with ability from day one and should be coming into her own now.
Last time she had a tough high draw on the Turffontein Inside track and ran on late for a close up third to a former Cape Town horse with some fair form.
This race is now down the straight and she is off the same mark, although any draw bias mist be monitored on the day as she has a high draw.
Sporting Monarch was another one who made an impression from day one as he has speed and the ability to stay on.
He won when dropped as low as a 67 merit rating but off his current 72 he is still well handicapped on his best form and should be involved, although he has a low draw so hopefully that side does not have a disadvantage on the day.
Torio Lake is by Oratorio out of the useful Grade 3-winning sprinter Purple Lake so he is interesting dropped down to this trip.
He stays 1 400m and should be finishing fast.
However, it is a competitive event and punters should go as wide as possible.
Purple Diamond
In the sixth race over 1 100m Purple Diamond won the Grade 2 Golden Horseshoe over 1 400m as a two-year-old but became disappointing.
His merit rating has dropped into the low 80s and in his last three runs he has been competitive in sprints from 1 0001 200m.
He finished well over 1 000m last time so should enjoy the extra 100m and looks to be the one to beat.
He is only 1kg better off with Great Shaka for a 1,4 length beating over 1 000m although the latter would have preferred this to have been over 1 000m again. Copper Jay is ultra consistent and should enjoy this trip.
Danza was thought to be best at 1 400m until his last start when winning easily over 1 200m.
However, he does have a six point merit rated raise to contend with which will not be easy at the age of six.
Donny G is half-a-kilogram better off with Great Shaka for a 0,4 length beating so also has to be included in a competitive race.
The seventh is an Assessment Plate over 1 000m and the two stand outs are Dewali and Summer Afternoon.
The former won his maiden over this trip by four lengths and followed up with a good effort behind a promising sort.
On the downside he has not run since September.
Summer Afternoon
Summer Afternoon is joint best in at the weights with Dewali and this Trippi filly won well on debut before not being disgraced behind Running Brave last time. Those two should it fight out and Topmast is the one who could pick up the pieces if they fluff their lines.
The next race over 1 600m could be won by Believe Me, who in the typical style of a Silvano filly is coming into her own as a four-year-old.
She should enjoy this step up to mile and can continue to progress.
Abelie went close first time out the maidens over 1 700m and will also be involved.
Samarra has been competitive since her merit rating has dropped into the 60s and the front-running tactics worked well last time over 1 400m.
She stays this trip and should be thereabouts despite being given a four point raise.
The last leg is a Maiden and it should be fought out by Fire And Rescue and Humour Me, who have both shown promise and are distance suited.
Maroon Bells has plenty of scope and if there is to be an upset he is the most likely candidate to cause it.