Just A Jet to make it count
THE Vaal Inside track stages a low key eight race meeting tomorrow and punters who study hard could be rewarded with some handsome dividends. The meeting starts with a Maiden Plate over 1 000m and Shiloh is tipped to upset two horses who beat her the last time they met over this trip, Western Shamrock and Flying Falcon.
That was Shiloh’s second run after a six month layoff and she was entitled to need it.
Nevertheless she ran on well in the context of that race.
Next time out over 1 200m she was a touch too handy but stayed on for a well beaten third.
She should now be cherry ripe and has a favourable low draw with 4kg claimer Dylan Lerena aboard for the third time in a row.
Western Shamrock
Western Shamrock and Flying Falcon are not going to Hollywood but should be in the shake up.
Vanilla Orchid showed good pace last time over 1 300m and might appreciate the step down to this trip. Baize Door is by Group 1-winning sprinter Speightstown, who has produced 14 Group 1 winners around the world, out of an Irish-bred placed maiden by Danehill Dancer.
By riding arrangements Bourbon Bouquet appears to be the stable elect.
The latter does not have great form but in the context of this race her third place in her penultimate start will make her a threat.
The second race is a maiden over 1 800m and the most interesting runner here is Collegiate who tends to be lazy in his races and has to be driven along for much of the way but then stays on at the end.
Not surprisingly the blinkers are now on.
This lightly-raced five-year-old Ideal World gelding has a wide draw and this is always a concern for a horse running in first-time blinkers as he might be caught wide and begin over-racing. The selection is thus Agent Kay. He had to be used up a bit early in his penultimate start over this trip in order to find a nice position from a wide draw and only just failed to win.
Golden Sword
He will now get a nice position for free from a plum draw and this Golden Sword colt is made the best bet on the card.
The third is a fillies and mares maiden over 2 000m and Charmz Luck is tipped to win.
This Pathfork filly was green on debut around the turn over 1 500m and did not have much room in the straight.
She was doing her best work late for a 3,2 length fifth and can reverse form with the more experienced Wild Lady.
Charmz Luck will relish the step up in trip and the long straight and she is drawn three.
Ashdown is tipped for second as she beat Wild Lady when they last met and has a better draw than the latter.
The next race over 2000m should be won by the resolute galloper by Fort Wood, Fort Augustus.
He galloped them into the ground last time over this trip in a maiden and won by 8,25 lengths, despite it being his second run after a six month layoff and gelding.
He has a 75 merit rating to overcome but should be cherry ripe and can continue to progress.
The expected good pace should suit Shotgun Rider.
He was flying at the finish last time over 1800m.
He is likely to be dropped out from a wide draw and should be finishing fast again over a trip 200m further.
Throng caught the eye when winning first time out the maidens and should also enjoy the step up in trip.
The fifth is a staying event over 2 400m and on paper Just A Jet is the one to side with as she beat Arte last time and will now be 2kg better off.
Arte won well in her penultimate in a 3 200m handicap and back in handicap company, as opposed to a feature last time, she will be more at home and can’t be discounted.
Tundra Taita is interesting here as one who has caught the eye with strong finishes over middle distances before.
The sixth over 1 800m looks to be a good opportunity for Dawn Flight.
It is an 1 800m fillies and mares apprentice handicap and Eric Ngwane can make the most of a fair draw of five aboard a mare who runs over an ideal trip.
Cool Fantasy has dropped to a merit rating which could see her begin earning again and Cosmo Russe can go close from a good draw as she sneaks into the handicap with the minimum weight and is distance suited.
In the seventh over 1 800m Braxton is on the up for a yard who bring them on slowly. She can defy a five point merit rated raise and a wide draw.
Beautiful Shay
Beautiful Shay’s good draw will suit her handy style over a suitable trip.
Tigerlace, meanwhile, had good maiden form and won very easily last time over this trip so can’t be ignored first time in a handicap off a reasonable 72 merit rating, although she does have a tough draw.
In the last race over 1 400m Lock Him Up won fluently in her penultimate start over this trip and will appreciate the step back to this trip.
A 1,5kg claimer up will alleviate the four point raise she was given for that win, but she does have a tricky draw.
This is the toughest race on the card and going wide is the advice for the exotics.