Mardi Gras has class on his side
The Vaal straight course stages a ten race meeting tomorrow and the highest rated race, a Pinnacle Stakes event over 1200m, forms the last leg of a Pick 6 which looks catchable.
Mardi Gras is 4,5kg under sufferance with the best weighted horse Pinnacle Peak according to official merit ratings but has class and is starting to come into his won.
He won with first-time blinkers on at Scottsville last time and can continue to progress. He has the highest draw in the ten horse field and that is usually the right side to be on at this course. Pinnacle Peak is a consistent sort and is coming off a win in a Pinnacle Stakes race over 1100m in which he proved he can carry this weight of 61,5kg.
He has a middle draw of six. Exquisite Touch has plenty of speed and her best races have been run over shorter.
However, she was held up over 1000m last time and finished fastest of all so if this tactic is employed from a nice draw of nine she could get the 1200m trip and surprise. Carbon Atom can't be ignored despite being 6kg under sufferance with Pinnacle Peak as he is coming into his won and has speed and a touch of class.
The three-year-old filly All At Once has twice beaten Mighty High, albeit when receiving weight, and is also a contender despite it being a tough ask to beat the boys. Mardi Gras and Pinnacle Peak should be enough for the PA but all five mentioned should be included in the Pick 6.
The sixth race is a MR 94 Handicap over 1500m and this should be an intriguing race. Warrior's Rest is breathtaking to watch as long as he finds the front as he continually cranks up the pace and then runs all the way to the line. However, if he is not in the lead and has to sit behind a slower pace he does not have the turn of foot to win. So it is most important he does get to the front and therefore the number one draw might either be a blessing or the opposite. If he breaks well and nobody takes him on it is a blessing as he gets there for free. However, if he doesn't break well a wider drawn horse will have a chance to come around him and into the lead.
Danza
Danza could be hoping for the latter scenario as he also likes to be handy or in the front. From the widest draw of all in the seven horse field he is not going to be prevented from making the effort to get to the front. Morning Catch should be included along with Warrior's Rest in both the PA and Pick 6 and Jackpot because if it does not pan out well for the latter he has the form to pick up the pieces over an ideal trip.
The Pick 6 banker comes in race 7 in the form of Shezahotti. She has hard knocking form and this 2000m trip is ideal for the daughter of Irish Flame. She is drawn well in three and faces an uninspiring field of maiden fillies. My Elusive showed improvement last time over 1600m and could be dangerous over the step up in trip. She does have a wide draw to overcome but has champion jockey Lyle Hewitson board.
The first leg of the Pick 6 is a tricky maiden over 1400m. Excellent Al is a hard knocking sort who is the form choice and Colonel Caramel can be included as one capable of a resolute finish, although he would prefer further. The first-timers Hit For Six and Fired Up have to be considered. Barista and Summer House can't be left out either.
The second leg of the Pick 6 over 1400m should be contested by three promising sorts I Am Batman, Paddy's Legacy and Jackpot Jewel, who are all coming off promising runs early in their careers and they should all enjoy the trip.
The eighth race over 1000m could be won by the in form Mike and Adam Azzie yard with the speedy Oravar, who is drawn ten out of eleven.
Vardo will be a big danger as he looks well handicapped on his best Highveld form and wasn't disgraced in his last start down in Cape Town. Premier Show, Brigtnumberten and Scoop all have the form to go close two and should be included in the Pick and Jackpot.