Sand coming to an end
THE Vaal’s eight race sand meeting tomorrow represents one of the last chances for punters to reap some of the good dividends that can be found on this track as there are only three subsequent meetings before it is replaced by a turf track.
In the first race over 1450m the champion yard of Sean Tarry is kicking into top gear and Le Dominion looks to be a horse who will take well to the sand on both running style and pedigree so could win it from pole position.
Seventh Apostle showed early pace over 1000m on debut and is stepped up in trip from a good draw. On pedigree he is not certain to stay the trip being by the sprinter King’s Apostle from a very fast female line which includes the like of National Colour. However, on the other hand horses that carve out a big lead on this surface are sometimes hard to catch even if plugging on at one pace.
Bullion Bay
Bullion Bay is drawn well over the trip in which he went close last time from a similarly good draw and the form of that race has not worked out too badly.
Pera Hur has been knocking on the door from 1200-1450m on the sand and now has Andrew Fortune up from a fair draw. Battle Of Arcole has the form to be a contender here and has champion jockey Gavin Lerena up, but on the downside he has a terrible draw.
In the second race over 1000m Magic has gone close to some good sorts including in a feature over course and distance last time, so now has a good opportunity from a fair draw to get off the mark.
Boogaloo ran a fine race over course and distance last time when showing pace and the low draws have appeared to have been getting an early advantage over course and distance recently so he will be a threat. Justash has pace and a low draw with Lerena up and in second time blinkers should do better than last time when bumped at the start, so he could also be a threat as his score in meetings with Magic over course and distance is one victory and two defeats.
In the third over 1000m Supanova is a consistent sort with plenty of speed and the ability to stay on, so he could just get up with a late rally from a high draw as he looks capable of rising above his lowly merit rating.
The progressive Racing Red is by the impressive sire Querari and would not be a surprise winner following his taking maiden win over course and distance as he looks to have also been awarded a lenient merit rating.
Buster Posy faced a fine field on his sand debut last time and back in this class his good pace could see him finishing thereabouts under Lerena.
La Tasca won well over course and distance last week, but will carry 2kg more than carded as a result.
The Gobi has come down to a competitive merit rating and could earn.
In the fourth over 1000m Ballerini has been knocking on the door against some fair types over course and distance and has Lerena up from an ideal looking draw.
La Strada has dropped seven points in the merit ratings despite finishing a respectable fifth in a feature last time on the sand when bumped at the start. Winter Darling comes from an in form yard and was not disgraced over course and distance last time in a feature despite losing a length at the start.
Slick Deputy won impressively over course and distance last time out and being by Go Deputy should have come into her own now as a young fiveyear-old, so she would not be a surprise winner. Captain’s Diva should be running on strongly and can’t be ignored.
Super Guppy
Super Guppy has been facing good sorts without being disgraced and is off a competitive merit rating so has to go into the equation being from the Tarry yard who are kicking onto top gear.
In the fifth over 1200m Wishful Heart has class and looks icourse and distance suited, so from a good draw is the one to beat.
Return To The Sun has been knocking on the door off this merit rating and has a fair draw over an ideal course and distance.
Shine Tiger won in commanding fashion the last time he had this pole position draw over this course and distance, so he could be a threat back despite being six points higher in the merit ratings since that last win.
In the sixth over 1600m, Opah Latino should love the sand on both running style and pedigree and from a good draw looks to be the one to side with in an ultra competitive affair.
White Christmas is running over his best trip and off a slightly lowered merit rating should be right there as he comes from some fair formlines. Perfect Trip runs from a much better draw than he had last week when well beaten here over 1450m and he could run into the money.
In the seventh over 1800m Arabian World is an improving sort being by the classy sire Ideal World and he is drawn well over an ideal course and distance off just a four point higher merit rating than his last win.
Commodore Al has a fine record over course and distance, but the handicappers are taking no chances with him and he is ten points higher in the merit ratings since his last win.
Colonel Rockjaw was a winner over course and distance and on paper could have the edge on Commodore Al, but that doesn’t take into account that Commodore Al stumbled in their first meeting and still beat him.
Knock Knock
In the eighth over 1800m Knock Knock will appreciate the step back to this trip and could have the beating of this field with Gavin Lerena up from a good draw, especially as his recent runs over shorter are likely to have brought him on for this race.
Siena’s Star is officially 3,5kg under sufferance, but won well when stepped up to this trip at Flamingo Park last time so is the dark horse, although her wide draw makes it tough. Imperial Empress is not far behind Knock Knock on the form of their last meeting over course and distance. Seattle Fairy has won over course and distance before and could earn in this weak contest. French Approval is very lowly merit rated and way out at the weights but has shown signs of ability and could possibly place from pole position.