High draws key for Vaal success
THERE is a nine race turf meeting on the Vaal outside course tomorrow and it is high draws that are normally favoured in the straight races on this track. Of the first-timers in race 1, a Workrider’s Maiden over 1200m, the one that makes appeal is the Mike Azzie-trained Jay Peg gelding Le Clos, a halfbrother to Vancouver Gold who won second time out over 1160m by five lengths.
He is drawn on the right side and the accomplished Francis Semela rides.
However, interestingly Azzie's usual first choice workrider Lyle Hewitson is aboard another first-timer, Scheme Of Things, who is by King's Apostle out of an Irish-bred mare.
The Barend Botes-trained King's Apostle gelding Knowingly is a half-brother to the fair Rebel King sprint-miler Somonsberg.
Of those to have run, Bar Dot Accent has been close up twice over course and distance. Ayrton is a battling maiden but has shown enough to possibly earn a cheque.
The second is a 1200m maiden for fillies and mares and of those to have run Angel Of Mercy, who is drawn on the right side, could improve on her decent debut over 1400m when slow away and green throughout before finishing strongly.
Honeybush Tea, who has been knocking on the door, is also drawn on the right side and has Piere Strydom up.
ivacious Lady has improved with blinkers and could earn in this field. Phuket is usually thereabouts but often coughs and has a draw of one to overcome.
Roxy Lady makes some appeal but is drawn on the wrong side and there is a question whether she will enjoy the step up in trip having found little extra over 1000m.
A Woman’s Will
Of the first-timers A Woman’s Will is a R900,000 purchase by Var out of a Windrush mare. Bella Sonata is a R700,000 purchase by Silvano out of a Singspiel mare.
Nala is by Trippi out of the Gr 1-winning Kahal mare Bold Ellinore.
The third is also a fillies and mares maiden over 1200m and of those to have run Picardi Pink disappointed when stepped up to 1400m last time but back at this trip should bounce back with champion jockey Gavin Lerena up.
Honolua Bay makes most appeal of the rest having shown some ability in two sprints at Turffontein.
Of the first-timers Superwoman is an Australian-bred by I Am Invincible and is owned by Michael Leaf. Ready for your love is an Australian-bred by Big Brown. Andrew Fortune is an eyecatching booking for the first-timer by Kahal, Lady Duchess.
The fourth is a maiden for fillies and mares over 1400m and an interesting first-timer here is the Greys Inn filly Forries Flirt, who is a full-sister to the classy unbeaten colt Forries Waltz.
The other first-timer is Seul Amour filly Flirting Around, who is a half-sister to the classy Port Elizabeth sprinter In search of the sun.
Of those to have run Sweet Habanero has shown up well against one or two fair sorts and has Gavin Lerena up. Matilda's Daughter is drawn on the right side and went close over course and distance last time out in just her second career outing. JinGo-La-Ba comes out the best of the rest on formlines.
The fifth is a MR 68 handicap over 1400m and the hard knocking Max The Man looks the one to beat over a suitable trip with Piere Strydom up.
Oreintal Blue beat Max The Man by 1,25 lengths last time over the Turffontein 1400m last time out but, if apprentice claims are included, he is now 3kg worse off, although on the other hand he now has Andrew Fortune up and is drawn on the right side.
If the reserve runner Celtic King gets in he could be a big runner over a suitable trip from a favourable draw, although he is 1,5kg worse off for a 0,25 length beating of Max The Man.
The sixth is a MR 90 handicap over 1000m. Will Pays looks to be a horse who is on the up.
He proved he is effective over this trip two runs ago and has a favourable draw.
Mod Barley is course and distance suited and also has a favourable draw so could go close with Weichong Marwing up. Bad Boy Buddy Boy can overcome his low draw with his speed and, having recorded a hat-trick over course and distance before a disappointing run at Greyville, he could be involved in the finish with S'Manga Khumalo up.
The seventh is a MR 92 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1000m and the draw could play a part here as the best contestants are difficult to separate on form.
Crown Of Roses has a favourable high draw with S'Manga Khumalo up and could beat home Miss December who is drawn on the very outside with Gavin Lerena up. Piere Strydom's guile could see Seventh Symphony go close from a middle draw.
In the eighth over 1200m Carter has been doing well off this merit rating and has a favourable outside draw over a suitable course and distance and Fortune has the ride.
Nugget Counter improved with blinkers last time and must be a contender from a favourable draw with astute 1,5kg claimer Callan Murray aboard.
The last race is over 1600m and the hard-knocking Gold Status could get it right with a promising 1,5kg claimer Mathew Thackeray up from a favourable draw over a suitable course and distance.
Aquaboy is an improving sort who should be involved and Mr Balboa is interesting dropped back to the trip of his decent debut.