Strydom and Carmalita are more than ready to win
BiPot appears good bet today
British poet William Edward Hickson wrote those now famous line: “If at first you don’t succeed, try and try again.” That could apply to Carmalita, an Australian-bred three-yearold filly who could finally crack a win when she lines up in Race 3, a Maiden Plate over 1200m on the Vaal Inside track today
This Stanley Ferreira-trained daughter of Commands is the best handicapped runner in the field and could prove better than her current merit rating of 75.
Carmalita’s career record is encouraging, having run four times for a third and three second-place finishes. Things didn’t go her way last time, she was bumped at the start, hit the front but was then caught close and was beaten just 0.50-lengths by Radiant Splendour at Turffontein.
Her biggest dangers should be the Johan Janse van Vuuren-trained duo of Forgimme and Dreamsaremadeof.
The advice is to take Trifectas boxed, including Carmalita, Forgimme, Lunar Dancer, Delphine, Dreamsaremadeof and Janis Jetlin.
Sky High Flyer, a Noordhoek Flyer gelding who failed to justify 28-10 favouritism in his most recent start, can reward his supporters with a decent pay day when he runs in Race 5, a MR 65 Handicap over 1200m. On form this speedy Van Vuurentrained gelding appears hard to oppose.
He also holds Last Battle and Minnesota on form having run well ahead of them one run back. Sky High Flyer shoulders 59.5kg and Donavan Mansour will ride.
Apprentice jockeys’ will lock horns in two races – with Dennis Schwarz being the rider to follow in Race 7, a MR 72 Apprentice Handicap over 1700m where he rides Just Cruised In. This Gavin Van Zyltrained gelding caught the eye in his last performance when beaten 2.20-lengths into fourth place by Sleep-inseattle.
That run was particularly impressive because he lost a length at the start and was returning from a fourmonth rest!
He’ll strip fitter and with respect to the wide No 10 draw in this 10-horse field, he could still have the edge. He is no stranger to carrying heavy weights, but Schwarz claims 2.5kg, so this son of Just As Well could resume winning ways with 59kg on his back.