Melchizidek is the value bet
THE Vaal stages an eight race meeting tomorrow which provides a few interesting opportunities for punters.
In the first race over 1000m Mega Lee does not have fashionable breeding and comes from the yard of Heather Adamson but she has substance and despite starting at odds of 100/1 on debut she showed good natural pace and stayed on to finish a 4,05 length third to Scoop.
The time rating was not great but the runner up American Hustle has since come out and won by three lengths so the form has been franked and she should improve for the run so is tipped to win.
Queen Rachel is one of the dangers being a hard knocker whose best recent run was over this trip.
Edict Of Nantes
Lyle Hewitson rode her last time over 1200m and is likely in agreement that she should drop back to 1000m as he is back aboard. However, the most interesting runner here is the Geoff Woorduff-trained Trippi filly Trip To Nantes as she is a half-sister to the top class Edict Of Nantes and makes her debut with Marco van Rensburg up.
The next race over 1400m sees the return to action of the classy looking Zaahed. This Australian-bred Redoute’s Choice colt is a full brother to Grade 1 Australian Oaks (2400m) winner Absolutely and to Grade 1 Australasian Oaks (2000m) winner Abbie Marie.
On his debut in April he was up just off the pace in the Grade 3 Protea Stakes before fading and had reportedly choked up. The De Kock yard would have addressed the issue.
They said he might need the run after a seven month layoff but give him an each-way chance.
Paused showed good pace last time over this trip and was then carried out so did well to rally just as he looked likely to be swamped.
He stayed on well for second and with better luck should go close, although the form of the aforementioned race, won easily by the promising Against The Grain, is questionable.
Captain Of Tortuga is an interesting runner as he is by Captain Al out of the top class race mare Ebony Flyer (Jet Master). She is rangy and is still furnishing and brings decent maiden form from Cape Town up to this trip, although on the downside she has not run since July.
What A Blast by Visionaire is a scopey sort who was not disgraced last time in the Ready To Run Cup so he could earn in this weaker field, although he does not have a great deal of pace and might need further in time. Karakoram can’t be ignored despite being out of a poorly performed Parade Leader maiden as his sire Skit Skizzle has made a good start to his career at stud.
In the first leg of the Pick 6 over 1400m Comaneci was backed over 1160m last timer and ran on well.
The form has been franked and Khumalo stays aboard over a step up in trip which should suit.
Out Of Sight was making eye catching late progress over 1600m last time and has some substance so is interesting dropped in trip with blinkers on and is chosen as the main danger ahead of Veritas, who stayed on over shorter last time. Comet Crystal and Targaryen Queen have claims too.
In the first leg of the Jackpot Melchizidek is an interesting runner and provides the value bet of the day.
He is an eyecatching looker who won his maiden easily over 1450m second time out and has faced good fields since.
He has been dropped to a 72 merit rating and faces an uninspiring handicap field with Hewitson aboard.
Savannah King and Ready To Strike make the most appeal of the rest.
Stop And Stare is ideally distance suited and can also be included alongside Lute Society.
The fifth race over 1600m is an Assessment Plate and Protea Paradise is bred in the purple being by Dynasty out of the Grade 2-winning sprinter Honorine (Redoute’s Choice).
King Of The Sky
Second time out he faced the breeze the whole way over this trip but still galloped on to win easily so that was a god performance. The officially best weighted horse is King Of The Sky, who proved he was up to his merit rating in a handicap last time, so he has to be included. Sweet Red, second best in at the weights, strikes as a filly with some class and can’t be ignored either.
The sixth over 1200m will likely be fought out by two speedsters on the up, Mardi Gras and Prince Of Kahal, although Billy Silver can’t be ignored as a talented horse who has had problems and returns from a layoff for a new yard.
The last two races are tough 1200m sprint handicaps. Patrol Officer doesn’t have an easy merit rating of 81 to contend with but has caught the eye before and is tipped to win the first of them and Hear The Trumpet is tipped to win the next as one who has shown speed over 1000m but is bred to go further. Punters are advised to go as wide as possible.