Torrey Pines has the class
THERE are some good horses turning out at Greyville today in the eight race polytrack meeting and the PA and Pick 6 will be popular bets. In the first leg of the PA, a Maiden for fillies and mares over 1 200m, Torrey Pines jumps from draw three and should have too much class here.
In the first leg of the Pick 6, a Maiden over 1 200m, the first-timer Clique is well drawn and this Oratorio half-brother to Barbosa should make his presence felt. Of the raced runners, there is little between Sapphire Petunia and Laters Baby.
The fourth race is a MR 94 Handicap over 1 200m and Buffalo Soldier makes appeal with a 2,5kg claimer up from a good draw over a suitable trip.
Mr Roy handles this trip and with Delpech up from a good draw off the same merit rating as his last win he will go close.
Donny G has speed aplenty and will appreciate the step down in trip so will be a factor from draw six.
The speedy Miss Varlicious showed she can run on from behind too last time so is a big runner from pole position.
Waltzed Home
Waltzed Home could be a factor if overcoming a high draw. The classy Monte Christo can’t be ignored and neither can Over Sure. In the fifth, a MR 77 Handicap over 1 200m, Var Du Bois has dropped to a mark three points lower than his last wining mark and cracks pole position draw, so he should be right there if starting on terms. Peter Piper has dropped to a competitive merit rating and has won over course and distance from this draw before, so has a chance with Delpech up. Yankeedoodledandy has gone close in his last two over 1 400m and now gets the blinkers on over a touch shorter from a good draw with a 2,5kg claimer up.
Fire The Rocket is in good from and well drawn over a suitable trip.
Wynkelder will be running on from a wide draw and Hard To Play could be anything, but won’t have it easy off an 82 merit rating.
In the sixth a MR 91 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1 000m, La Revere has speed and class and from pole position having her third run after a rest should go close under Anthony Delpech.
Old Em is 5,5kg better off with Hashtag Strat for a 3,05 length beating over this trip at the Vaal and is now drawn well. Hashtag Strat has exceptional cruising speed and at her best will be a big runner, but this is her sixth run in just under twelve weeks and her last two runs were below par. She doesn’t have the easiest draw either.
Virga
The youngster Virga was impressive in her only start over course and distance and although officially 1,5kg under sufferance she is well drawn with a 2,5kg claimer aboard.
A Vision To Kill is drawn well, so will do better than on July day when drawn wide. Anime can’t be ignored either.
In the seventh race, a MR 70 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1 000m, Vargraves led from start to finish to win her maiden over course and distance and on formlines it would be no surprise to see her following up from a good draw under a 2,5kg claimer.
Tweed Valley has a tricky draw but has a strong finishing run and is a threat. Seatops will also be finishing strongly as he did when finishing just behind Tweed Valley on Gold Cup day from a similar draw.
Zadora has always possessed a touch of class and should be staying on strongly from a wide draw. Var Agtig has been disappointing but is interesting with first time blinkers on off a reduced merit rating.
The last leg of the Pick 6 is a MR 61 Handicap over 2 000m.
Racing Socks won easily the last time he ran over course and distance and off a five point higher mark should go close despite a draw of eight.
Courageous King
Courageous King was an unlucky second last time over 1 900m on the poly.
He has been given a four point raise and has to jump from a wide draw, so will likely have to come from the back again. Viking Red is a son of Go Deputy, whose progeny often turn the corner after their fourth birthdays and he could follow suit. He was unplaced the last time he tried this trip, but the form of that race is not bad and he now has a good draw, so if settling well should go close.
Ian Sturgeon remains aboard after finishing strongly on him last time for a narrow second over 1 600m, although he has been given a three point raise for that run. Strategic’s Pride won easily over course and distance last March and is now three points lower in the merit ratings.
On the evidence of his last 1 900m and 2 000m poly runs respectively he has a chance from a good draw.
The Money Man beat Strategic’s Pride by 1,5 lengths the last time they met over 1900m here and is only 0,5kg worse off, but the reversal in draw fortunes is against him.
Lebeoana is a former Kimberley Horse Of The Year and can’t be ignored.