‘Angel’ to have mercy in sand finale
AWORKRIDER’S maiden race meeting which comprises the first leg of the 2015/2016 Workrider’s Challenge brings down the curtain on the Vaal sand track tomorrow as the surface will then be replaced by a turf course.
This course has been characterised by big exotic dividends, so punters will need to put their special Vaal sand thinking caps on for last time in an attempt to find some of those big-priced winners and placed horses.
In the first race over 1450m, the first-timer Leigh Woods makes plenty of appeal from a fair draw as he is by Fort Wood, whose progeny love the sand, and his Mark Of Esteem dam was a fair sort achieving a merit rating of 83 after a facile maiden win over 1600m and another win over 1800m.
Le Clos will be involved in the finish from a good draw having gone close over 1200m on this surface last time.
One concern is that he has made breathing noises before, but on pedigree he should enjoy the step up in trip.
The Badge has a suitable sand pedigree. He should now be cherry-ripe in his third career start, having led in a 1450m turf race last time out before fading and he is well drawn under last season’s Workrider’s Challenge victor Lyle Hewitson.
In the second race for fillies and mares over 1450m there is not much form to go on but Carole Bouquet makes appeal being by Fort Wood and well drawn.
Lindeman Lustre
She was beaten by Lindeman Lustre over course and distance three runs ago but there is now a reversal in draw fortunes.
Lindeman Lustre only has one good effort to her name in seven starts, but she wasn’t disgraced last time out over course and distance and should be a big runner in this weak field.
Gold Rupee wasn’t disgraced in her sand debut last time out over 1200m and showed some improvement in blinkers so could be a threat from pole position over a step up in trip which should suit on pedigree.
In the third race, a maiden over 1000m, Boogaloo has improved and went close to a fair sort last time so is the one to beat.
Ziggy’s Boy hasn’t been disgraced behind some fair sorts from 1000-1200m, including on his debut on sand, and runs fresh having pulled up lame last time out in May in a strong turf race.
Rock On makes his sand debut for an in form yard and on pedigree will be suited to the course and distance.
The fourth is a maiden over 1000m and Angie The Rebel only just failed over course and distance last time when cruising up and then being surprised by the kick the leader found, meaning she left her run just a fraction too late. She is the one to beat.
Arrive At Five could go close in second-time blinkers as he showed some pace last time over course and distance and a horse he beat came out and won next time out, albeit on the turf.
Fannalies Girl should love the surface being by Windrush and her best runs were over 1200m so she might enjoy the step down in trip from 1400m.
Rain In Africa has blinkers and a tongue tie on having been close up to some promising sorts, but the concern is that she has made breathing noises before.
Sister Mary has pace and has some fair turf form and tries sand for the first time.
The fifth over 1800m for fillies and mares represents a good opportunity for Angel Of Mercy, who wears second time blinkers and should be too strong for this field from a fair draw.
Oblivion ran a cracker over 1950m at Scottsville last time out and is the danger because being by Announce she will love returning to the sand.
Polly Woddle Doodle is a R200,000 first-timer by Judpot and is a half-sister to the Gr 1 Champions Cup winner Master Plan so the betting must be closely monitored.
In the sixth over 1800m Paratus’s only sand start wasn’t a bad effort and he looks perfectly suited to this trip.
The race could represent an opportunity for the expensively purchased Umthetho as he should enjoy the sand on pedigree and his disappointing efforts over shorter suggested he would be looking for more ground.
However, there are some stamina question marks on pedigree although he is drawn in pole with Hewitson up and doesn’t face a strong field.
Seven Single has to be included in all bets with the blinkers now off after a disappointing sand debut over 1450m.
Il Duce ran a fair race behind a classy sort in his penultimate start over course and distance and should be involved in the finish.
Lego House
Lego House is never far off them and has gone close over 2000m on the Greyville poly before so should stay this trip. His pedigree suggests he should take to sand, albeit over a shorter trip.
The seventh over 1600m could be won by Cervantes as he ran a cracker over a too sharp 1200m on the sand and is now drawn in pole over a more suitable trip.
Mr Balboa is a consistent sort whose one paced running style suggests he might enjoy this course and distance.
Icy Avalanche’s two best sand runs have been over this trip and he could earn from a good draw.
The eighth is for fillies and mares over 1600m and Infinity Knot looks the one to side with having made a fair sand debut over 1450m last time and now jumping from a good draw over a step up in trip that should suit.
Seattle Spice stayed on in eye-catching style on her sand debut over 1200m and should love the course and distance although the wide draw is a concern. Peggy Jay is a one paced sort who should enjoy the sand on running style.
A Woman’s Will has run three fair races on turf and should also enjoy this surface on running style but she does have a tough draw.
Ginger Sioux has run a couple of fair races over course and distance and should be included in all exotics.