Silvez a perfect Dancing Queen
Elbi the joker in today’s pack on the Classic track
The last two events at today’s Vaal race meeting make for a tempting TAB double, with a pair of promising sorts standing out – Dancing Queen in Race 7 and Silvez in Race 8.
Highly rated speedster Dancing Queen was all the rage in her latest race, when she impressively justified 13-10 favouritism and made a mockery of her rivals in winning by an extending five lengths over the minimum trip – despite returning from a five-month stint off the racetrack. It was a victory full of merit.
If Roy Magner’s charge can reproduce anything close to that performance she’ll be hard to outclass when she lines up against a moderate field of fellow threeyear-olds in Race 7, a Fillies Novice Plate over 1000m, on the Vaal Classic track.
Prior to shedding her maiden tag over this course and distance, the daughter of Mambo In Seattle finished second in two consecutive outings, holding her own against strong opposition. Both those form lines boast winners, which greatly strengthens her case.
“Straight after those two runs she got very sick,” admitted Magner. “She had a bad virus so was off for a while. I was worried a bit. I thought it (the layoff) would catch her out, but my goodness has she won well. She blew me away and will go on from here.”
Russia-bound apprentice jockey Dennis Schwarz rode Dancing Queen last time out and will retain the ride aboard the worthy Place Accumulator banker.
Pick 6 players are likely to survive this leg with just Dancing Queen and Mike de Kock-trained Elbi, who was a gutsy winner at the second time of asking and could be anything.
For the Quartet, float the pair with All Of Me, Cloud Break, Arikel and Star Flyer.
Formerly under the care of Sean Tarry, the now Fabian Habib-trained Silvez is as consistent as the day is long.
If not ring-rusty following 72-day rest, should prove one of the best bets on the card in Race 8, a FM 66 Handicap over 1600m.
This four-year-old daughter of Seventh Rock is yet to run out of the money in six career starts. This is unlikely to change today.
She showed a liking for 1600m at this course last time out when justifying 8-10 favouritism – making light work of winning by 3.50 lengths under Lyle Hewitson.
Apprentice jockey Dylan Lerena rides this time and his 2.5kg claim means she will only shoulder 57kg – 3kg more than her main threat Ponchielli, who jumps from an advantageous No 2 draw as opposed to Silvez’s wide No 13.