Big Blue Marble gets the nod
THE Vaal Classic track has an interesting eight race meeting tomorrow and the exotics look to be the way to play it. In the first race over 1000m, a Maiden for three-year-olds, Big Blue Marble looks to be a Bipot banker. This Var gelding is scopey sort with plenty of pace and after going close on debut he was declared a non-runner second time out when once again showing pace. The handler had impeded him at the start so he not surprisingly faded after losing a couple of lengths and then going to the front. With a better start this time he is going to be hard to catch. His stablemate Ocean City, a Var filly, lost ground at the start on debut before going to the front and fading so she can also improve. The most interesting of the first-timers is Ultra Boost, an Australian-bred gelding by the top sire More Than Ready out of an Encosta De Lago mare who is a half-sister to a Group 1 Australian Guineas winner. He provides a welcome back ride for former champion jockey Gavin Lerena.
Torre Del Oro
The first leg of the PA is tricky, being a MR 90 Handicap over 1000m. Torre Del Oro disappointed last time over 1160m in a Pinnacle event but he had a slighter tougher task than he has here and was probably too handy too. He prefers being a little further off the pace and this consistent sort is the tip to win. Isphan was raised five points for his last win so is going to have it tough carrying 63kg but he can never be ignored over 1000m due to the pace he possesses. Big Mistake is interesting in his first run as a gelding as he had some good form in Cape Town, including finishing fifth in the R2,5 million Lanzerac Ready To Run over 1400m. He should be staying on strongly over a trip too sharp in his first run after a fiveand-a-half month layoff.
In the first leg of the Pick 6 over 1000m Variety Moon is the tip, but it is a not a confident choice. She is speedily-bred being by Var out of the useful Silvano sprinter Romantic Moon and she was green on debut when running a fair five length seventh to the fair sort Casual Wear over 1000m. Red Tara is quick and last time was cut down by the like of the promising Nafaayes, so without that sort of class appearing to be in this race she can possibly hold on this time. Blonde Vision makes most appeal of the firsttimers being a R225,000 filly by Visionaire out of Grade 1 Allan Robertson winner Legally Blonde. She is a half-sister to Grade 2 Senor Santa Stakes runner up Pure Blonde. Lady Jackson can be included in the Pick 6 as she has some fair sprint form. Firsttimer Tehuano by Dynasty out of a Peintre Celebre mare is interesting, although horses from the Lucky Houdalakis yard usually come on from their first runs.
The fourth is an Assessment Plate over 1 600m and looks to be a match race between the two youngsters, Saints Alive and Fariha, unless the best weighted horse Tammany Hall can bounce back to her early form in which she looked to be most promising. Brigtnumbersix is 4,5kg badly in with Tammany Hall but has ability and is still unexposed. Tundra Taita should be staying on and is another worth considering.
Noceur
In the fifth race over 1 800m Noceur has always looked to be one who would get better with age and should be coming into her own as a five-year-old this season. She is distance suited but against her is a wide draw. Tigerlace was beaten five lengths by Noceur last time but is 2kg better off and will appreciate the 200m further trip. She has a fair draw too and if things pan out for her she is capable of a strong finish. Fragrant Miss has come into her own and from pole position might be able to stay this trip. She struck as one who would need further early in her career and two runs ago won going away over 1600m. Big Myth is a progressive sort who can improve over this trip if not using up too much to get to the front. Serendipity can also be considered being just three points higher for her course and distance win and now better drawn.
Mighty Magic
Mighty Magic is the one to beat in race six dropping back to a trip of 1800m which will suit. However, Condor Gulch looks to be a progressive sort and he will be finishing strongly over this trip. Visigoth is a big horse who showed some class in Cape Town so in his third run after gelding must be considered. Hidden Agenda is well drawn over a suitable trip. Streetwear has good form but has a slight stamina question mark. The same can be said of Trip To Paradise.
The seventh, an uninspiring maiden over 1800m, should be fought out by Sea Like Glass, Pachanga and Rhyme Or Reason, although Generoso can do well if it pans out well for her and Matanuska.
In the last over 1800m Rockstar Child looks the one to beat with Festive Linngari and Proud Dynasty the main dangers. Those three can get punters through the exotics, although for wider Limestone Mass and Cinnabon can be considered.