Sweet Red is the choice
THE Vaal stages an eleven race meeting tomorrow and the last three legs of the Pick 6 consist of two Assessment Plates and a Maiden Plate so it is catchable.
In the first of the Assessment Plates over 1000m Scoop is tipped to win having returned from a layoff and gelding to slam the opposition over this trip last time.
The form of that race has worked out well with the runner up American Hustle having come out and won by three lengths and the third-placed horse Mega Lee proving her 100-1 odds third place was no fluke by placing again yesterday.
Scoop is the best weighted male in the line up on official merit ratings.
Summer Afternoon
Summer Afternoon was accorded quite a lowly merit rating after winning comfortably on debut but this filly has a smooth action and plenty of scope so is likely to improve although the step down in trip from 1200m to 1000m might not be in her favour.
Elbi has pace so will be suited to the step down in trip and she is officially the best weighted horse.
Sugoi is an interestimg runner. His sire Noordhoek Flyer has been a disappointment but this one looks like a chip off the old block, being a well muscled and handsome chestnut, and the form of his maiden win over this trip was franked when the runner up Queen Rachel came out and won.
Royal Cavalier looks to have some ability too and if repeating his effort behind William The Silent in an Assessment Plate two runs ago he could earn.
In the second Assessment Plate over 1800m Sweet Red will be hard to beat if she takes her place. She was scratched from her engagement on Tuesday so it remains to be seen whether she runs here. She didn’t face a strong field last time but cruised in by nine lengths and before that she had good form in strong maidens. She jumps from a fair draw over an ideal trip.
Cashel Palace is a big filly with plenty of scope and she should come into her own this season.She was only 3,15 lengths back in the Yellowwood Handicap last time and from pole position should make her presence felt. She is officially the best weighted horse in the race.
Elusive Butterfly has not been disgraced in her last two starts having won her first two and she should enjoy the step up in trip.
The last leg of the Pick 6 is a maiden over 2000m and Two Of Us looks to be a staying type who will enjoy the step up in trip.
However, the breathing noise he made last time is a concern. Mr Cuddles ran on well last time over 1700m and now has a good draw over a step up in trip which will suit.
Wild Fire made late progress over this trip last time and should continue to improve.
Flame Fella has to be included as he ran on when just behind Mr Cuddles last time and on racing style and being by Irish Flame he should relish the step up in trip.
Brave Detail beat Wild Fire the last time they met over this trip so must be included and Noble Emblem is on the up and can also be considered.
In the first leg of the Pick 6 Folk Dance is a filly who looked to be top of the tree at one stage.
She has been disappointing but she has consequently dropped to a 99 merit rating and has her easiest task for some time in this handicap in which the 4kg claim of apprentice Klink will alleviate the 62,5kg burden she is set to carry.
The 1400m trip is ideal as she can be strong in the running over a mile.
I Like It is an interesting contender a few days after coming within a whisker of pulling off a major shock in the Grade 3 Fillies Mile and she has to be included carrying just 52kg.
It is competitive but the next most fancied is Dame Kelly as she has always struck as one with ability and 1400m has always been her ideal trip.
Strawberry Pavlova
Last time she showed herself to be back in form. However, the other three, Rouge Allure, Strawberry Pavlova and Vivir, are tough to ignore and a field selection has to be considered with only six runners involved.
In the second leg Lake Kinneret did not have the race pan out for her perfectly last time over this 1400m trip as she was jostled early and then ran without cover throughout.
She can do better if finding cover and running on and is 2kg better off with Danza for a 2,9 length beating. Danza and Sail For Joy are ideally distance suited and must be included.
The third leg over 1400m is a tough one but Quebec Queen only just failed last week over 1600m and should be involved.
Sammi Moosa has dropped to a competitive merit rating and can be involved.
Silvez has scope and should come into her own this season. She is capable of running them into the ground from the front here although it is her first outing for three months. Samarra, Believe Me, Words, Kick Butt, Elegancia and Durban Bourbon are others to consider.