Albacore and Simons are safe bet
Pachuco to find winning form at Vaal
Jockey Randall Simons rides one of the safest bets on the card today – Albacore in Race 7, a MR 70 Handicap over 1 800m on the Vaal Inside track. The four-year-old Fastnet Rock gelding wasn’t disgraced in his latest effort when beaten a diminishing 1.60 lengths into third by Inn A Million. The 2 000m proved a touch too far for Mike de Kock’s charge and he will relish the drop in trip. Most encouraging about that performance was the fact that he was a mammoth 11 lengths behind the leader passing the 400m marker and he produced an impressive turn of foot in the dying stages. Considering Albacore overcame the worst of draws in April when a runaway four-length victor in a 1 600m contest, the No 9 gate he has today shouldn’t raise many red flags. For Swingers and Exactas, box him with the ever-improving Lord Silverio, a Silvano gelding trained by Sean Tarry. Although he is making his handicap debut, there was plenty to like about Lord Silverio’s easy 2.40-length victory at the course last time. In fact, that form line has worked out exceptionally well – boasting two follow-up winners and two thirdplace finishers. The Silvano colt has plenty of scope for improvement and, a wide No 13 draw aside, he has much in his favour. He carries 1.5kg less than Albacore and his last outing suggests he is begging for the extra ground. Quartet players should float Albacore and Lord Silverio with Double Tap, Son Of A Legend, American Indian and Stavinsky. Although consistent, Geoff Woodruff-trained Dressed To Impress has become an expensive horse to follow with Win bets, finishing second in three consecutive outings and failing to justify favouritism. She is clearly above average, though, and on form should win and redeem herself in Race 8, a FM 84 Handicap over 1 700m. Callan Murray rides this daughter of Pathfork. She is drawn at an advantageous No 2 and is decently weighted with 57.5kg – 1kg less than main threat Awfaa. The latter returns from an 82-day stint off the racetrack and fitness is a concern. De Kock’s charge is, however, far better than her current merit rating of 86 suggests. The pair are all you need in your Pick 6 and you should box them in Swingers and Exactas. For Quartets, float them with as many runners as your budget allows. A Highveld meeting seldom ends without apprentice jockey Lyle Hewitson booting home a winner or two. He is most likely to be seen in the winner’s enclosure in Race 2, a MR 66 Handicap over 1 400m, in which he partners Pachuco.