Murray’s ride looks a beauty
Murray should also win Race 3 on Alwahsh
We will not have to wait very long to witness the main event at the Vaal today as It takes place in Race 2, a FM 81 Divided Handicap over 1400m. Mike De Kock’s High Chaparrel filly, High Seas Beauty, looks ready to notch up her third win. She made a respiratory noise in running last time out when beaten 5.25 lengths into fourth by She’s A Dragon in a FM 92 Handicap over 1600m on the Turffontein Inside track. In her defence, the mile could have proven a touch too far. The drop to 1400m should increase her chances of winning, especially as this four-year-old has run three times at the course for a win and two seconds. In-form jockey Callan Murray is in the irons. High Seas Beauty was beaten 2.20 lengths into second by Rouge Allure last time but when they met in July High Seas Beauty came out on top. High Seas Beauty is now 2.5kg better off for their last win which should bring them a lot closer this time. Gunter Wrogemann is aboard Rouge Allure and she also has some decent form over the course and distance with six runs for one win and three seconds and a third place. Murray could score a quick double as he rides Alwahsh in Race 3, a MR 84 Handicap over 1200m. This New Zealand-bred son of Sepoy colt was fancied on debut at Turffontein when going off at 32-10. Even though he drifted from 19-10, De Kock’s charge impressively skipped three lengths of the field under Murray, despite being reported to have been blowing heavily. Alwahsh appears to be on the up and could be the best bet on the card. Ryan Munger has been riding exceptionally well of late and could pose the main threat when teaming up with the Grant Maroun-trained Golden Man. This Lateral gelding finished sixth, beaten a disappointing 19 lengths by Sporting Monarch last time. He is better than that outing suggests and if he can produce anything close to his third-place finish behind Rivarine one run back, he will be competitive.