Punters can set sail with Union Castle
THE Vaal stages a nine race meeting tomorrow and with sun forecast there should be no need for a switch to another venue.
Punters could get off to a good start with Union Castle, who caught the eye second time out running on over this course and distance.
He looks to have those who have run held and the danger could be the first-timer Fly Away, a Paul Peter-trained R100,000 What A Winter filly out of a one-time winning Argonaut mare who comes from a speedy family.
Fly Away is closely in-bred to Western Winter.
In the second race over 1 000m Palace Of Dreams can be bankered in the Bipot.
She has a nice stride and showed resolve second time out before producing a strong late run to just fail.
A first-timer once again looks the main danger.
Montreal Mist
Montreal Mist is a R700,000 Soft Falling Rain filly out of Esterel, who was a Listedwinning sprinter by Var so she should have plenty of speed.
The first leg of the PA is a weak stayer’s maiden and Smart Deal has a good opportunity to get off the mark from pole position.
However, he is not the most reliable sort so Robusto, who was only about 2,5 lengths behind him last time, can be included along with Born Rich.
In the first leg of the Pick 6 over 1 000m Robberg Express is a nice looking son of What A Winter who has speed and the ability to stay all the way to the line.
He has not raced for 121 days but this is his third run after gelding and he can go well fresh over this trip.
Mr Whatson won from the front on debut and looks to have a fair future as he showed resolve.
He has substance and a nice stride and has plenty of scope for improvement. Deerupt comes from a fair form race over 1 200m and is the best in at the weights according to official merit ratings, so has to be included.
Scoop and Dalai’s Promise also have to be included in the Pick 6.
In the first leg of the Jackpot over 1 000m Galactic Warrior has always been held in high regard and his last win was over this course and distance with a 4kg claimer aboard.
He has been raised four points since then but has another 4kg claimer up and he might well have benefited from a 103 day layoff.
Winter Storm
Winter Storm is a progressive sort who is capable of overcoming a three point raise for his last win.
Purple Diamond has Galactic Warrior held on the form of their last meeting but that was at Turffontein and he does not have the best record at The Vaal.
However, he should be included in all exotics.
In the sixth race over 1 200m Operetta has shown ability but has not had the best of lucky recently.
She has consequently dropped to a mark just two points higher than her last win, which was over this trip on the old Vaal Inside track.
She won by 3,25 lengths that day so if she can have more luck than in recent races she can go close. La Bastide drops down in class off a merit rating which has dropped from a winning mark of 81 down to 77.
She has a chance despite having to carry 61,5kg.
Che Bella has a chance on formlines too. Rings And Things bounced back to form with blinkers on last time over 1 400m and has won over this course and distance before, so she can not be left out of the Pick 6 and Jackpot.
Generous Notion
Generous Notion is better than her last run and is also worth including, although she is off quite a tough mark at present.
In the seventh race over 1 400m Witch Of The West has always struck as one with some class and having had two fair comeback runs over trips too sharp, she now steps up to her best trip.
She will go close.
Gimme Hope Johanna had to overcome a wide draw over this trip at Turffontein last time and was making late progress.
She can be competitive here down the straight.
Only To Win is an honest sort who is also effective over this trip.
She will be right there as usual.
In the eighth race over 1 400m Manhattan Cocktail is a talented horse who can rise above his current merit rating. He is ideally distance suited here too. He is made the best bet of the day.
In the last race over 1400m Refuge has a good chance as he drops back to his best trip off a lowered merit rating. Endofmarch is another one who will enjoy the step down in trip and his merit rating has also been lowered.
Street Flyer falls into the same boat and those three could get punters through.