Some homework needed
THE Vaal has a nine race meeting tomorrow and punters who have done their homework could reap the rewards of some likely handsome exotic dividends. The first is a Workrider’s maiden over 1200m.
The hard-knocking Minnesota ran on well for a good second last time over 1000m behind a well-bred sort and from a good draw should be able to stay the 1200 min this weak field under a good workrider.
Chosen Al stayed on bravely over 1400m last time, having been forced on to the wrong side, and should earn here but doesn’t have as good a draw as the first selection.
Great White Fleet ran an improved race last time over 1400m and looks likely to enjoy this trip. He has a top rider aboard but is drawn on the wrong side.
The second is a Maiden over 1600m. Master of the stars has found some betting support in both starts and is interesting with first time blinkers over a suitable trip. Kanonkop has the ability and form to win but makes breathing noises which is a concern.
Divar is interesting from a good draw as he did well when sent to the front last time over this trip at Turffontein.
Seven League Boots disappointed last time but the form has worked out fairly well and he is drawn on the right side over a suitable course and distance. Coptic Cross has not done badly over shorter and should relish the step up in trip.
He has a tough draw but Andrew Fortune is up which should help. Mississippi Rising is having his third run after a layoff and has Gavin Lerena up over a trip he should enjoy on pedigree. He also has a tough draw to overcome.
The third is a Maiden Plate for fillies and mares over 1600m and Tricia Dupont is an eyecatching sort who looks the one to side with from a fair draw, having been unlucky over 1400m last time when first fly jumping and then being baulked for a run before running on strongly.
The hard-knocking Cosmo Russo will also relish the step up in trip and is drawn on the right side. Gains Tax, Dalley, Shelly, Eyetunes, Aesculus and Cambridge Choir could all earn but the selection for third is the first mentioned due to a combination of form and draw.
The fourth is a MR 80 Handicap over 1600m and Lock Him Up was a bit disappointing over 1400m last Saturday but should enjoy this course and distance and is drawn on the right side. Belenos looks promising and will also enjoy the course and distance but does have a tricky draw.
Masnoon has come down to an attractive merit rating and should relish this course and distance from a fair draw. Raise The Red has come down to an attractive mark and Gavin Lerena rides over what should now be a suitable course and distance.
Oreo Shake was unlucky last time and could earn with Fortune up. Crevasse can’t be ignored as he hasn’t been disgraced against stronger and has come down the merit ratings but he has a tough draw.
The fifth is a MR 86 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1600m and Peep Show is the one to beat having not been disgraced in strong fields in her last two starts.
She is six points lower than her last winning mark on the sand but goes well on the turf too. Escudo is knocking on the door over this trip and gets a good draw off just a one point higher merit rating than her close miss last time.
Cassie O’Malley is drawn on the right side and has been knocking on the door over this trip. Fortitude has a touch of class and over a suitable trip from a fair draw Gavin Lerena is a significant booking. Dover Beach is 1kg worse off with Escudo after beating her by 0,9 lengths and she has a chance again.
The sixth is a MR 69 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1600m and Nkomo should be running on strongly over a suitable trip, after her usual slow start, as she is well drawn. Allegorical is only one point higher than her last win, which was over course and distance, and she is drawn well.
Hatfield Square looks to have promise and she hasn’t been harshly treated by the handicapper considering the form of her maiden win has worked out well, but she does have a tough draw to deal with. Dangerous Diva should stay this trip now and has Delpech up from a good draw. Wensleydale is under sufferance by 1kg but will likely be staying on from a good draw
with a low weight. Peg O’ My Heart won her maiden well but this trip might be a touch sharp.
The seventh is a MR 78 Handicap over 1000m and Clean Cut could be the one to side with as long as he breaks better than last time and has more luck in running.
Nevada won his maiden cosily and could follow up from a good draw despite a merit rating of 79.
Salute The Sun is rated some 30 points higher on sand but from a good draw could be dangerous over a step down in trip which should suit.
Gun Fighter is in good form and Lerena is an eyecatching booking from a fair draw, but he has a five point higher merit rating than his win over course and distance last time where he made breathing noises then. Katch has come down to an attractive merit rating and is well drawn.
Extreme Dubai
The eighth is a MR 76 Handicap over 1000m and the well-bred Extreme Dubai brought his good homework to the course last time when stepped down to this trip, despite having to contend with the worst of the draw, and he is now drawn on the right side off a merit rating of a mere 73.
Manx Park is in and out sort but has the ability to win this even off a four point high merit rating than his last success, so he has to be included from a good draw. Turbo Tom is reunited with Gavin Lerena, who won on him three runs ago over course and distance, and they are drawn on the right side having just been run out of it last time, although he is now three points higher.
Race nine is a MR 86 handicap for fillies and mares over 1000m and Seattle Lady has been in fine form, losing narrowly to two promising sorts in her last two starts, and she can go one better here from a reasonable draw with blinkers on.
Drifting Dusk is a decent sort who is drawn on the right side with Lerena up and her best recent form has been over this trip.
Cataluga is drawn on the right side over a suitable course and distance and should be thereabouts.