Bank on The Stone Thrower
THE Vaal Inside track has an eight race meeting on Tuesday where the exotic dividends should be handsome as the racing is competitive. The low draws tend to be favourable on this track.
The highest merit rated race on the card is a MR 104 Handicap over 1 800m.
It is difficult to assess as a lot of the contestants are returning from layoffs and are probably using this race as a preparation for bigger events.
On Saturday at Turffontein an event which was probably similarly being used as a preparation, by some big gun females, saw a 25/1 winner who was hopelessly out at the weights on official merit ratings.
So to be safe in this race, exotic punters would likely have to include the entire field.
Master Sabina
The class horse in the race is last year’s Gr 1 Sansui Summer Cup winner Master Sabina. However, last year he had a preparation comeback race at roundabout the same time as this over this same distance and could only manage fifth.
He is better drawn this time and the field looks weaker.
He has also dropped back to the merit rating of his Summer Cup win.
However, he could need it again and is tipped to finish second behind Bankable Teddy.
The latter has a plum draw over a suitable trip and is off a competitive merit rating.
He is the most race fit of all the runners and the Bankables appear to improve with age.
Of the rest, the best has likely not been seen yet of Master Switch and he could prove to be one to follow for the season. He returns from a layoff over a suitable trip, but has a wide draw.
However, his class could pull him through into the trifecta.
The best bet on the card could be The Stone Thrower, who runs in the fifth race, a Novice Plate over 1 200m. Weichong Marwing rides.
The four-year-old Seventh Rock gelding is 6kg out at the weights with Samurai Blade on official merit ratings.
However, he is the second best weighted horse and unlike Samurai Blade, who needs considerably further, is distance suited.
In his penultimate start The Stone Thrower moved up well over this distance before appearing to run out of steam, suggesting he needed it.
He did not have the best of draws that day either. Last time out on Grand Heritage day he had a tough draw again, so did well to finish fifth in a competitive handicap over this trip.
He is now having his third run on the Highveld and has a plum draw.
Danza
Danza, who was often seen to be headstrong over trips further than sprints, duly enjoyed the 1 200m trip last time and has good credentials.
However, he is officially 2,5kg under sufferance with The Stone Thrower and has a tough draw by trends.
The Australian-bred Aussie Austin hasn’t run since February and is officially 2,5kg under sufferance with The Stone Thrower.
However, he is still an unknown quantity having been touched off by the classy Rivarine over 1 000m on debut and then coasting in by three lengths in his next start over 1 000m. He jumps from a tricky draw of five but could spoil the party.
Sporting Monarch is another talented three-yearold making his seasonal reappearance.
He would not be a shock winner, despite also being 2,5kg under sufferance with The Stone Thrower.
He has plenty of speed and jumps from pole position draw over a trip he won his maiden over comfortably. Another runner who makes appeal on the day is the three-year-old Alpine Glacier in the last race over 1 000m, a MR 68 Handicap.
Alpine Glacier
This horse is a full-brother to the talented Valberg and has a lot of natural speed.
He jumps from a good draw and is likely to progress beyond his 77 merit rating, so could hold too many guns. In race two, a MR 86 Handicap over 1 400m, Nephrite could prove to be good value.
He has not had draws, weights or distance in his favour this season.
However, he has now come down the merit ratings, is ideally distance suited and has a plum draw.
In race three, a Maiden for fillies and mares over 1 400m, Rouge Allure looks a solid form choice, but does have a tricky draw to overcome.