Flying Silver the one to beat
THE Vaal has an interesting nine race card tomorrow as some useful sorts will be seen in action. In the first over 1200m, Red Heart is an imposing filly by Trippi and is a full-sister to the useful Listed winner Sunset Tripp, who has won up to 1400m. With a better start than last time she could use her speed to overcome her high draw. Spring Dance was backed on debut in a maiden and had no luck throughout. Bally Swiss showed pace on debut finishing second, but over raced in the opening stages and had no answer to the finishing run of Jungle Mist. The form has worked out well. Matresse is by Silvano out of a four-time winning sprinter by Model Man. Lady Yahoo is by Jay Peg out of a onetime winner over 1200m who dam is a half-sister to the champion filly Arabian Lass.
Flying Silver
The second is a maiden over 1600m and Flying Silver looks the one to beat having finished strongly over 1400m second time out and drawn well. Gains Tax is drawn in pole and should appreciate the step up and Peg O’ My Heart and Topography could also earn. The third is a maiden over 1600m. O’Brien The Lion has done well from the front in his last two starts over 1400m and has been tried over as far 2400m, so should be suited to this trip. Hermoso Mundo is by the promising sire Ideal World out of the champion mare Escoleta Fitz and should not only improve on his debut over 1400m but will relish the step up in trip. Koncealed was taken out at the 150m mark last time over this trip at Turffontein when staying on strongly. Kanonkop was caught late over 1400m on debut and on pedigree should enjoy the trip although the concerns are another high draw and a breathing noise made on debut. Beunos Aires was 2,35 lengths behind Kanonkop last time and could improve. Like A Master was not much further back and should enjoy the step up in trip. A P Emblem made a fair debut and could improve. The fourth is a Graduation Plate over 1200m. Jolie Roger is third best in at the weights and could be the one to beat from a fair draw coming back down to this trip of his impressive maiden win. Buckland has good early pace and is unbeaten in two starts over course and distance but has a tough draw. African Ruler beat Buckland over 1400m and has good form over shorter. Joe Malone is the best in at the weights on official merit ratings and could be a factor despite having his second run after a suspension for epistaxis. Machismo has some eyecatching form and could also be thereabouts.
The fifth is a MR 92 Handicap over 1400m and Bulleting Home over raced last time over 1600m, yet still won easily. He looks to have come into his own and can handle an eight point raise over a step down in trip he should appreciate. Brad’s Surge could be a threat having landed a good draw for a change. Prince Jazeem returns from a layoff but is drawn in pole over an ideal trip and the Tarry yard always have them fit enough. Move Like Jagger is course and distance suited. Captain Aldo is a consistent sort but has to handle a merit rating six points higher than he’s ever run off after his recent win. Rock Me Var is talented but might be stretched by this trip. Be Mine Tonight is the only female involved and can’t be written off. The sixth is a MR75 Handicap over 1400m. Var Bay is in good form and went close over 1450m at Turffontein last time, so looks ready to win again. There is not much between Var Bay and Wottahottie on form. Both these first two selections have tough draws which is a concern. Son Of Approval is 1,5kg under sufferance but appears best at this trip and has a good 1,5kg claimer up, so could provide good place value from a plum draw.
Mann’s Inn
Mann’s Inn, who also has an unfavourable high draw, narrowly beat Wottahottie last time over course and distance but is 0,5kg worse off. Angelus Belle could be a factor from a fair draw if reproducing his run in September over course and distance.
The seventh is a MR 74 handicap over 1400m and My Treasure has a touch of class and should have benefitted from his last run. Rock On Rebel is well drawn and finished fast last time over course and distance. Bah is running off a good merit rating and a suitable trip, so could get closer than last time when hampered late. Nkomo loves this course and distance and will produce a strong finish, so could be thereabouts if not starting too slowly. Russian Steward goes well for jockey Munger and stayed on well over course and distance last time.
The eighth is a MR 72 Handicap over 1000m and Manx Park is in and out but from a good draw and a 4kg claimer up is the one to beat if he has a going day. Cannes could make a bold bid from the front from pole position. Clean Cut and Dream Leader should be involved if overcoming high draws and Atso Cool has to be included after an easy maiden win over course and distance.
The last is a fillies and mares MR 68 Handicap over 1000m and Shiver N’ Shake looks to be the one to side with from a good draw with Gavin Lerena up.
Vanda could be a contender from a good draw. Itsgottobeme is down to a winning mark and has a good draw over a suitable trip. Stairway to Heaven improved without blinkers last time and if repeating could go close again. Lena Laptev and Ride Of Honour have to be considered too.