Little Genie can grant a wish
THE supporting features at the Vaal on Saturday will be full of intrigue and getting them right will help punters land a piece of the Pick 6 pool which is expected to reach close to R5 million.
The first leg of the Pick 6, the Non-Black Type Investec Sophomore Fillies 1000 sees the reappearance of the exciting Lucky Houdalakis-trained Var filly Speedy Gonvarlez, who converted all the talk into reality on debut when scooting in by eight lengths over course and distance.
She could improve further but the field she faced last time was uninspiring and she might not quite be a banker.
Her stablemate How du like it showed sudden improvement to win her maiden over 1200m on the sand and then beat her stablemate Firstimesacharm easily over 1300m on turf, admittedly when receiving 2,5kg. She went to the front in both those wins and is interesting stepped down to this trip. Speedy Suzy has speed and class and being by Trippi should love the sand.
Mella Maria
There is not much between her and Mella Maria, who also makes her sand debut. Perfumed Lady also won easily on debut on turf and could improve further.
In the second leg, the Non-Black Type SAP Sophomore 1000, Sean Tarry rates Faberge Style, who is the only filly in the field, his best chance on the day and she has a shout having won her maiden over course and distance by over ten lengths.
However, Haddington ran a comfortably quicker time than her when winning on debut over course and distance and being by Ideal World he will likely have a lot of scope for improvement.
Noah From Goa converted yard confidence over course and distance on debut and could also improve and for wider the two topweights Alaca and Kingo f the world should be considered.
The third leg is the Listed Brite house Supreme Fillies and Mares Stakes and the ever improving Walking On The Air has been unfortunate to have a merit rating that falls at the very bottom of one of the weight bands, meaning she is officially 2kg under sufferance with some of the opposition, but that might not stop her from a draw of two that will suit her handy style of running down to the ground.
Peep Show should be on top of Walking On Air at the line according to the weight turnaround from their last meeting and showed last time when winning in commanding style over course and distance that she is improving, which is not surprising being by Ideal World.
Antonia’s Fortress
Topweight Antonia’s Fortress is an interesting sand debutant being by Fort Wood and having been close behind the Equus award winner Hammie’s Hooker in the Prix du Cap over this sort of distance, so she must have a shout with Andrew Fortune up over a suitable trip.
Maria Theresa is interesting on this surface for the first time being by Dynasty and it is a suitable trip, although she does have a wide draw to overcome.
Run For Revelry comes in at the top of one of the merit rated bands, so is officially well weighted and she could improve on her last start over course and distance when beaten by Peep Show as she jumps from pole position instead of draw ten.
The fifth leg of the Pick 6 is the Listed SAP Hampton Handicap over 1000m and the smart Trip Tease has to lug 63,5kg off a merit rating of 114 but this might not stop him considering how well he won last time over course and distance despite banging his head on the starting stalls.
This day often suits ultra speedy types so the pacey Victorious, who is only 0,5kg under sufferance carrying 52kg, could be good each/way value especially considering he should love the surface on pedigree.
Trip Tease’s stablemate Varbration has Andrew Fortune up and showed he handles sand when comfortably winning the World Sports Betting Sprint over this distance at Flamingo Park, so he could be a threat off just a three point higher merit rating and receiving 7kg from Trip Tease.
Another stablemate Wishful Heart is improving and is 4kg better off with Trip Tease for a 3,5 length beating so could get closer.
Doing It For Dan is yet another stablemate in with a chance considering he won comfortably over course and distance in his penultimate start, despite breaking through the stalls.
The fifth of the Louis Goosen runners is the talented One Man’s Dream who makes his sand debut over his ideal trip.
Tiger Territory can never be ignored over course and distance as he is very quick on his day and has won six times from eleven starts over course and distance.
Little Genie
The final leg of the Pick 6 is the Listed Banyana Handicap and the Judpot filly Little Genie might still be running off a capped merit rating having once again destroyed them in a 1000m handicap on the turf to record a hat-trick last time out.
Drifting Dusk is a big powerful sort who is sure to be running on strongly. Brigt number four is all heart and there is not much between her and Drifting Dusk.
Easy Street showed her liking for the course and distance when winning easily on her sand debut and she could continue to progress.
Sarve has a touch of class and can’t be ignored despite carrying top weight as she has won twice over course and distance before.