Stormborne Thunder to find winning form
Divine Odyssey goes for a hat-trick
It might pay to indulge in a tempting TAB All To Come bet today at the Vaal, where racing will be contested on the Classic track. The suggested multiple will include a win on Stormborne Thunder in Race 1, a place on Mantracker in the second, a win on Invincible Lady in the fourth and lastly a win on Divine Odyssey in Race 6. The in-form Muzi Yeni rides Mike and Adam Azzie-trained Stormborne Thunder in the FM Maiden Plate over 2000m. Although failing to justify favouritism in her last two encounters, this four-year-old daughter of Stratum has improved tremendously since stepping up to 2000m, finishing second in three consecutive outings. On form alone, a loss is unlikely, plus she is weighted to win. The only chink in this filly’s armour is the wide No 10 draw in an 11-horse field, but she has the class to overcome it. There is no better jockey to follow than Randall Simons at the moment. If he isn’t winning races he is often running a place and that could be the case again when he rides eachway prospect Mantracker for trainer St John Gray in a Maiden contest over 2400m. Mantracker is the joint best handicapped runner in the field with Skip The Light and his last four performances comprise two seconds and two thirds. Most inspiring is that his best effort to date was over this trip, three runs back when he was beaten a narrow 0.20 lengths into second by Village Deep. He finished 2.75 lengths ahead of his main danger Smart Deal on that occasion, and should confirm superiority jumping from an advantageous No 4 draw as opposed to the latter’s wide No 11. Take Swingers and boxed Exactas featuring the pair and perhaps float them with as many runners as your budget allows in your Quartet. Alec Laird-trained Invincible Lady is yet to miss the first three in five career starts. She appears above average and should regain winning form when she lines up in Race 4, a FM 84 Handicap over 1800m. This progressive four-year-old daughter of Captain Al showed tremendous heart when a gutsy 0.20-length victor at the second time of asking and has held her own in competitive handicaps since. In fact, with exception of the last, each race she’s contested has produced multiple winners. Invincible Lady ran a commendable third over 1800m in her penultimate, beaten 3.10 lengths by Jet Start, and then found one too good in her latest, finishing two lengths behind Fragrant Miss – failing to justify 15-10 favouritism. Those who keep the faith should be rewarded. Johan Janse van Vuurentrained Divine Odyssey has found his niche over 1600m and if not ring-rusty following a 60day stint off the racetrack should maintain his unbeaten record over the distance in Race 6, a MR 93 Handicap. This lightly raced four-year-old Oratorio gelding is in pursuit of a third consecutive triumph. He beat a tough crowd last time out when skipping 0.50 lengths clear of Arctica in a Pinnacle Stakes at Turffontein and is the one they all have to beat today.