Ulla to take a Trip To Paradise
Domeyer in town and he means business
Jockey Marco van Rensburg is often underrated by punters. If he isn’t winning races he’s running into the money with more than 40 percent of his rides finishing in the top four. This makes him a great jockey to follow. He should score aboard progressive two-year-old filly Ulla for trainer Stuart Pettigrew in Race 3, a Maiden Plate for fillies and mares over 1000m on the Vaal Outside track today. This daughter of Querari looked an exciting prospect following her second place finish on debut but was stubborn and subject to greenness at Turffontein so she failed to justify 21-20 favouritism. She was beaten 1.40 lengths into third by place Perfect Tigress on the Inside track. She lacked a strong kick in the dying stages on that ocassion which suggests that she is better suited to the minimum trip. If you’re looking to go light in your Place Accumuator, she is a worthy banker. For Swingers and Exactas add in the Fabian Habib-trained Countess Var who has finished second in two consecutive outings. This Var three-yearold sports blinkers for the first time, tops the best-weighted column and will benefit from apprentice jockey Dylan Lerena’s 4kg claim. As a result she will shoulder 56kg. For the Quartet double float Ulla and Countess Var with Casual Wear, Triple It, Detour, Variety Moon and Dawa Phui. If you are looking for a decent value bet then go with consistent Trip To Paradise in Race 7, a MR 69 Handicap over 1400m. Coenie de Beer’s charge was extremely unlucky in his latest effort when beaten a narrow 0.20 lengths into second by Stavinsky. In his defence, he was drawn worst of all in a 1600m contest and was reported to be making respiratory in running. If allowed a hassle-free run, he should be a massive contender. He should benefit from dropping to 1400m and the fiveyear-old will have the benefit of having in-form Muzi Yeni in the irons. Jockey Aldo Domeyer is in town, and he isn’t here to view the scenery. He rides plenty runners with winning chances. Considering he was returning from a lengthy nine-month layoff, Seventh Rule wasn’t disgraced in his Highveld debut when a 5.75-length third behind highly rated Cirillo and should leave the maiden ranks when he contests Race 4. Interestingly, the runner who finished second, Prince Jordan, will be running in Race 2. Should he win, it will only strengthen Seventh Rule’s chances. Perhaps take a TAB double featuring the pair. The Ashley Fortune-trained threeyear-old will be in peak condition and is yet to run out of the money in eight outings. The trainer-jockey combination should follow-up with Pachanga in Race 5, a Maiden Plate for fillies and mares over 1400m. This daughter of Mambo In Seattle has improved nicely since relocating to the Highveld. Her last three starts comprise a second and two thirds. All those runs were over 1450m and she had to jump from a wide draw in every race. She should relish the drop in trip and will be much more effective running up the Vaal straight.