Job for a Mind Reader
HONEST: CONSISTENCY SHOULD FAVOUR MAGNER RUNNER AT VAAL
Grappler to get bettors off to good start.
There are a couple of runners competing at the Vaal tomorrow who, if not in need of a run or two, could prove highly competitive. Two of them pop up in Race 4, a MR 88 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1000m. The meeting is run over the straight course.
Weiho Marwing saddles Freedom Seeker, who has moved up from Cape Town. Owner Hassan Adams probably has the Highveld Autumn Season in mind where he will be looking for some BlackType for this four-year-old daughter of Stratum.
She has run against some of the best of her sex in the Cape and can certainly do some damage up on the Highveld.
Her last start was in the Listed Southeaster Sprint over 1100m at Kenilworth in December when she finished a 3.40-length sixth behind Elusive Trader.
The other runner is Sean Tarry-trained Towards The Sun who last ran in June 2020. Prior to that she had won three races in a row so there is no question the fiveyear-old Trippi mare has talent.
Both could win this race so it would be an idea to keep a close eye on the betting for any significant shortening.
However, they might all have to beat Mind Reader from the Roy Magner yard. She is honest and consistent, and one is always guaranteed a true run. Her record over the minimum trip reads three wins, two seconds and two thirds from nine runs and she looks capable of chalking up a well-deserved fourth victory.
Randall Simons takes the ride. He rode her last time when she went down 0.30 lengths to Sweet Future.
The other fit runner who looks a threat is All Of Me from the Corne Spies yard. She has also faced stronger opposition and had a great run last time with Gavin Lerena up when 1.50-length third behind Valyrian King over 1000m on the Classic track.
Lerena takes the ride again but his mount will have to give 4kg to Mind Reader.
You can’t keep a good man down and Tarry proved that on Saturday. The stable has been battling to find winners but came away from Turffontein with four.
Back in form at the right time, that is always a stable to follow so, on a very difficult card, we will go with Tarry to win the opening event, a Maiden Plate over 1000m, where he sends out Grappler.
The son of Tippi finished unplaced behind Al Muthana on debut but was subsequently gelded and returned to racing in a workriders’ race last month. He found late betting support and, after a slow start, finished strongly to go down by a head. He should prove too strong for those that have raced.
However, Johan Janse van Vuuren introduces an Equal Stripes colt who could be anything. But experience is always an advantage and that should favour Grappler.