The Vaal has an eight race card tomorrow on the outside track where outside draws tend to be favourable, although punters will have to do their homework as most races are competitive.

In the first over 1000m Pippi Shortsock could score for an in form stable having shown some zip with first time blinkers on last time. Lily Love will attempt to confirm form from that race, although the draw was probably more in her favour last time. Scarlet Lady and Golden Memories make most appeal of the rest and Imperial Topaz can earn with Strydom back aboard having done well on her in her first two starts.

In the second over 1600m the well drawn Promising Prospect picked up when a horse came alongside her over 1450m last time and she ten ran on well, so she should relish the step up in trip and should have benefitted from the experience of two runs. Northern Chorus ran well from a tough draw last time and should go close here from a good draw. Tennessee Red should enjoy the step up in trip. Eversilver is course and distance suited. Capricious could earn but has a tough draw. Vul Indlela is an interesting French bred by New Approach. Goflyakite is by Royal Air Force and is a half-sister to the fair sort Moggytwoshoes.

In the third over 1600m the promising two-year-old The Last Outlaw is the one to beat from a good high draw having run on well over 1450m on debut after being slowly away. Uposeupay has been knocking on the door over 1600m, but has a low draw. Mr. Joe Black has run two fair races over 1600m and has scope for further improvement.

In the fourth over 1600m Roving Jet should be involved from a favourable draw. Mr Balboa is holding form well, but has a low  draw over this suitable trip and he does have to overcome a two point merit rated raise. Pachucho ran a fair race first time out the maidens, but also has a low draw. Klondike River will enjoy the step down in trip having pulled over 1800m last time and if settling well could be a runner here off an attractive merit rating.  Champions Cup can earn from a good draw if repeating his last run.

In the fifth over 1000m Rafa should be running on well from a probably favourable high draw and is now down to a competitive merit rating. Jade Bay could overcome his draw with his speed and off a five point lowered merit rating could go close considering he did quite well last time despite stumbling and being bumped at the start, although the breathing noises he has been making are a concern. Magic should also be right there from a plum draw. Wisaam is talented and over this trip might get away with a six month layoff. Greasepaint has come class but must overcome a tricky draw. None of the field can be ignored in an open race.

In the sixth over 1000m Night Editor is still off a mark two points lower than his last winning mark and the race should pan out well for him with a top class 1,5kg claimer up from a likely good draw. The distance suited Chief Sioux has dropped to a competitive merit rating. Turbo Tom was unlucky the last time he went this course and distance, failing by a short-head after losing three lengths so has a chance.

In the seventh over 1200m the improving Shivering Sea, who has been knocking on the door over this course and distance, looks to be drawn on the right side and Khumalo is now up. Shepard One runs off the same mark as her last win and goes well for Andrew Fortune, so should go close over a suitable course and distance. Bally Swiss is talented and is better than her last run but she might have another tricky draw here.

In the eight race La Manga has good pace and might keep them at bay under Andrew Fortune after their good performance together over course and distance last time. Riverine Forest might be favoured by a high draw according to recent trends and will appreciate the step up to 1200m. S’way is interestingly being ridden by Piere Strydom, who rode the horse who beat it last time out. Captured Quality is improving and has been accorded a reasonable merit rating so could surprise although the low draw might pose a problem. Raring To Go has a form chance and Lakahal should be thereabouts if low draws prove to not be unfavourable on the day.

David Thiselton