Psychic says Yeni to win
Operetta looks too good in Race 8
Swingers and Exactas should be the order of the day at the Vaal today as a lot of the contests on the bumper 10-race card promise to be two-horse races. Perhaps take a BiPot – it looks catchable.
It is day two of the 2018/19 season and trainer Sean Tarry could kick it off with a bang, courtesy of Psychic in Race 7, a MR 74 Handicap over 2000m on the Inside track.
This Visionaire gelding is a worthy banker, even in your Pick 6. He is the model of consistency and is currently in great form with his last five starts comprising two victories, two seconds and a third.
The five-year-old has plenty of scope for improvement and there was much to like about the manner in which he justified 5-4 favouritism in his latest triumph, when he produced a devastating turn of foot over the last 350m to beat Gentleman Only by a comfortable 0.70 lengths over 1800m at this course.
On form alone, Psychic appears far better than his current 68 merit rating. He should have no trouble outrunning this moderate field under the in-form Muzi Yeni. Tarry’s charge shoulders 57kg and jumps from an advantageous No 3 draw.
You are more than likely to survive the first leg of the BiPot: Race 2, a MR 84 Handicap over 1000m, with just Torre Del Oro and Alpine Glacier. Box them in Swingers and Exactas.
Stanley Ferreira-trained Alpine Glacier is a 1000m specialist and is in pursuit of a third consecutive victory under Keagan de Melo. You cannot fault the five-year-old’s form. Plus, he shoulders 59kg, 3kg more than Torre Del Oro, a massive advantage. The only chink in the Var gelding’s armour is the 72-day stint he has spent off the racetrack.
Tarry’s charge Torre Del Oro lacks nothing in the class department and his last two fourth-place finishes are not true reflections of his ability. He was only beaten two lengths by African Ruler last time out when running on smartly under master tactician Piere Strydom over 1160m at Turffontein. He does not meet a strong field and is unlikely to miss the first two.
For Quartets, float Alpine Glacier and Torre Del Oro with Pillar Of Strength, Donny G, Great Shake and Tripod.
KwaZulu-Natal-based jockey Warren Kennedy is in town and he should score aboard Operetta in Race 8, a FM 66 Handicap over 1200m, for trainer Paul Peter. This speedy Oratorio filly has improved with each race run and kicked a length clear of rivals under Piere Strydom in her latest effort.