Take BiPots, Swingers and Exactas today
De Kock first-timers likely to shine in Races 1 and 2
There seems to be lots of value betting on offer at the Vaal today, making for tempting Swingers and Exactas. Taking a BiPot might also prove profitable.
Race 3, a Maiden Plate over 1400m on the Outside track, looks likely to be a two-horse race between Certifiable and Flexible Fugitive.
Jockey Gavin Lerena broke his shoulder blade on Saturday and will be out of action for a while, so Certifiable will have Gunter Wrogemann in the irons. He rode the three-year-old colt in his latest effort, when he improved a lot to finish fourth behind Forgimme.
Certifiable tops the best-weighted column, but it is a concern that he lacked a strong finish in the dying stages last time, finishing two lengths back. Could 1 400m prove a touch too far?
Flexible Fugitive is ultra-consistent, but very expensive to follow. He has run unplaced only once in seven starts, but he still hasn’t shed that maiden tag.
Mike de Kock’s charge runs his best races over 1 400m and appears far better than his current merit rating of 72. Champion jockey Anthony Delpech will ride.
Quartet players should float Flexible Fugitive and Certifiable with as many runners as the budget allows.
Paul Peter-trained Quebec Queen could provide nice Eachway value when she contests Race 5, a FM 74 Handicap over 1 600m.
She is in exceptional form and will attempt to score a third consecutive victory under jockey Calvin Habib. They come into this race with a light 54.5kg and a prime draw at No 1.
The daughter of Mambo In Seattle holds Flowing Gown on form, having beaten her in their last two encounters.
On paper, Sean Tarry-trained Written could pose the main danger. Apprentice Denis Schwarz will claim 1.5kg so the four-year-old Western Winter filly will shoulder 53.5kg – which will be a massive advantage.
Splendid Garden could prove one of the safest bets on the card in Race 7, a MR 94 Divided Handicap over 1 200m. He did well over the course and distance three runs back, finishing an encouraging second behind Zouaves. He returned to form in his latest effort when only beaten 2.10 lengths into second by Romi’s Boy in a 1 160m contest.
That performance suggests he is more than ready to finally score a sixth career victory.
Mike De Kock saddles two first-timers – Zaahed in Race 1 and Nawaasi in Race 2 – and both are highly rated if racecourse gossip is to be believed. It might pay to follow the talk.