‘Swarovski’ and Alssakhra to fight it out
THE Vaal stages a low key eight race meeting tomorrow and those who do their homework can likely expect some healthy dividends. The highest rated race of the day is a MR 74 Handicap over 1500m and Prince Swarovski and Alssakhra could fight it out.
Prince Swarovski started favourite last time over 1600m and was a touch disappointing although he did stay on to finish a 0,6 length second.
However, he was found to be striding short so can make amends here off the same merit rating and from a fair draw.
Alssakhra over raced over 1800m last time, so will appreciate the step back to this trip.
He is highly regarded enough to have taken his place in the Gauteng Guineas in his penultimate start and was not disgraced.
The outsider who makes most appeal here is Shotgun Rider as he has dropped to a competitive merit rating.
He often loses ground at the start but is capable of a late charge.
Chimichuri Run
In the first leg of the Pick 6 over 1000m Chimichuri Run is only a two-year-old but made a good debut in a fair Maiden Juvenile Plate and can improve on that. He does not have a lot to beat. Singfonico is not the most reliable sort but has pace and should put himself in contention before coming under pressure late.
Lazarus Tree will be an interesting runner dropping down to 1000m as he showed pace over 1200m on debut and was only just run out of a place.
In the next leg over 1000m Urban Oasis is also a two-year-old but has shown enough to be able to beat this weak field.
Juanita will be having her 35th start in the maidens but has placed in the first three in three of her last four starts and can do so again.
Goa is an interesting runner as she had some fair form in Cape Town and then wore blinkers in three starts in KZN, including last time when runner up over 1200m at Scottsville in late January.
However, the blinkers are now off in her first start for an in form yard.
Casual Wear is a two-year-old who made a good debut and she can make her presence felt.
Shiloh was unlucky last time out and the blinkers seem to have brought the best out of this small filly so she has to be considered.
New Zealand
In the fifth, a maiden for fillies and mares over 2000m, New Zealand has always stuck as a fair sort but keeps on bumping one too good.
She now has a tough draw and is up against Animal Lover who is well drawn and will relish the step up in trip.
The sixth race is a typically tough MR 68 handicap.
However, Viburnum made a good impression when stepped up to 1600m and winning his maiden second time out.
Being a Mike de Kock-trained gelding by Ideal World he will without doubt relish the further step up in trip and is drawn well.
Psychic had some good form in Cape Town and the form of his maiden win over 2000m last time has been franked.
The last race is also a difficult MR68 handicap for fillies and mares over 1500m but Written looks the part.
She followed up on her easy maiden win by winning comfortably over 1600m last time and has only been given a three point raise.
She is drawn well too and can beat Fish River Canyon, who enjoys this course and goes well for Hewitson, and Rose Water, who ran a cracker in her penultimate start over this trip and is as well drawn this time and also has Strydom up.
Words can also be considered and Gold Shades should be finishing strongly from a high draw.