Laconia has the appeal
THE Vaal’s original track stages an eight race meeting tomorrow in which the first three races from 1 700 up to 2 400m are around the turn and the other five are down the straight.
The draws will play an important part in the races down the straight and it is difficult to tell beforehand whether there will be any draw bias, although if there is it usually favours the high draws.
The meeting kicks off with a maiden over 2 400m for fillies and mares and Laconia makes appeal being by the stamina influence Lateral and being trained by the outstanding conditioner of stayers, Weiho Marwing. Last time out she stayed on well over this trip at Turffontein Standside for a close second.
Greyling
Hennie Greyling stays aboard and she has the same good draw of two. Flying Fantasy has had three moderate runs to date but has an eyecatching pedigree for this trip being by stamina influence Irish Flame out of a Bezrin mare who won twice over this sort of trip. Nandi’s Vision should also be thereabouts jumping from pole and coming off a second over this trip.
In the first leg of the PA, a Middle Stakes event over 2 400m, Mighty And Magic looked to be a strong tip to win last time but that was before he lost a lot of ground at the start.
If he jumps on terms here he will be in the shake up from pole position.
The best weighted horse according to official merit ratings is Parisienne Chic, but in December she was similarly well weighted in a Middle Stakes event over this trip against the boys and didn’t feature.
Kurt’s Approval proved he enjoys this trip last time and although a touch out at the weights on official merit ratings he has a nice galloping weight and the yard can try a bolder strategy knowing he stays. Yamoto is interesting stepped up in trip from a good draw and can be included in the PA alongside Mighty And Magic and Kurt’s Approval.
However, Condor Gulch and Horseplay are also proven over the trip and are hard to ignore.
Ossetra
In the first leg of the Pick 6 over 1 700m Ossetra is a potential banker from a good draw.
She has topweight but it is alleviated by a 4kg claimer.
She always struck as one who would progress with age and her last run shows her to now be coming into her own.
However, not many will want to have a banker in a lowly fillies and mares handicap so Poormanslady and Picadilly Square can be included in the PA and Elegancia and Satin Slipper can be included alongside those three in the Pick 6.
The next race is the highest rated event on the card, an Assessment Plate over 1 400m and Epic Dream is made the one to beat.
He is a nice progressive sort and this trip will be right down his alley.
Anneka is the best weighted three-yearold in the field according to official merit ratings and has to be included as she has form behind the like of Mighty High, Clouds Unfold and Cirillo.
Captain Of Tortuga is the best weighted male horse in the race and is distance suited, so must also be included in all of the PA, Jackpot and Pick 6. Rocky Night must be included in the Jackpot and Pick 6 as he won well in his first start for this yard so can progress further.
Fired Up is also hard to ignore as he won well on debut and could still be anything.
Rockin’ Russsian is easily the best weighted horse in the field, so is worth including despite returning from a layoff of nearly a year.
Danza
In the fifth race over 1 400m the distance suited and in form Danza and the attractively merit rated Wonderwall must be included in the PA. The latter has his second run after gelding and could bounce back to form. Greek Fire, Shogun and Captain Courteous all have ability and can be included in the Pick 6. The last three races look more cut and dried.
In the sixth over 1 000m Rebel Renegade won in commanding fashion last time and off just a two point higher mark can go close again for the flying Magner yard.
Vardo is the only other one who needs including as he has speed and class and is attractively handicapped, having been dropped three points for his first run back from Cape Town, which he likely needed.
In the seventh over 1 400m Elusive Butterfly did well last Thursday against a stronger field than this and is the first choice. The back up is Florida Quays who caught the eye as one who has come into her own in her last win, although it remains to be seen whether the number one draw will be a disadvantage.
In the eighth over 1 400m Boutique is made the best bet of the day, despite being up against some talented sorts.
The form of her maiden win has worked out exceptionally well and she is held in good regard, so will be hard to beat over an ideal trip from a nice high draw and off a lowly merit rating of just 64.