Tap O’ Noth tops Guineas boards
HIGHLIGHT: TWO RACES FOR APPRENTICES FEATURE ON VAAL CARD
Make a few dollars more with Strydom and Tarry.
Two races for apprentice jockeys will highlight the programme at the Vaal tomorrow and 1.5kg-claimer Diego de Gouveia could provide punters with an exotic bets banker in Race 4 over 1200m.
He rides An Air Of Success for Port Elizabeth-based trainer Dorrie Sham.
This Judpot filly shed her maiden certificate with a win over Tara’s Gold in a 1200m sprint on the Fairview turf. An Air Of Success then came to the Highveld and ran an ultra-promising race over this course and distance to finish second.
Her stablemate Kungfoofighting was only a long neck behind her in third place with Amoretta, Gateway To Heaven and Queen At War further back. Kungfoofighting, who will be ridden by Luke Ferraris – son of Hong Kong-based trainer David Ferraris and grandson of veteran South African trainer Ormond – is much better drawn than Air Of Success but, having her 21st career start, does not have the same scope for improvement as her stablemate having only her fifth run.
Apprentice Lyle Hewitson is currently second on the national jockeys’ table and rides like a veteran, so cannot be left out of calculations in such races. He rides Bally Swiss for in-form trainer Paul Peter.
Race 7 is another handicap restricted to apprentice riders, this one over 1700m, and 2.5kg claimer Dennis Schwarz has a strong chance of taking home the biggest cheque aboard Just Cruised In.
This Gavin van Zyl-trained gelding stayed on well late following a layoff when a 2.20-length fourth behind Sleepinseattle over 1500m on the Classic track at this racecourse last time out. That form has been franked and Just Cruised In can score his fourth career win if he does not suffer the “bounce” factor.
Double Mink rises in class following his maiden win second time out but Joe Soma’s runner must rate a strong chance for Calvin Ngcobo in a weak field.
The richest race on the card is a Novice Handicap over 1700m, Race 6. Forafewdollarsmore looks worth another chance after failing to fire in his comeback from a six-month rest, when sixth behind Alshibaa on the Vaal Classic track recently. He beat Ideal Secret over the straight 1400m at this track in May. Sean Tarry’s runner will be ridden by Piere Strydom.