Vaal Saturday Oct 29 (inside track) Race Previews by David Thiselton

Race 1:

Preview: EBONY KNIGHT is knocking on the door and looks distance suited. PLUM BRITISH has been backed both starts and showed good pace last time over 1000m to finish a fair second, so should make them all run from a plum low draw. KINGS LANDING showed some pace last time over 1450m and was probably sent for home too soon so he might enjoy this step down in trip and has a plum draw. (David Thiselton 1-11-3-5-6)

Race 2:

Preview: GOLDEN MAN has been competitive off this merit rating and has a chance from a plum draw over a suitable trip. FIELDMARSHALL FENIX has a chance if getting into the field as he should be improving and has a plum draw over a step down in trip he will enjoy. JUST A JAG ran a cracker last time out when hopelessly out at the weights in a Graduation late event and a repeat should see him winning this back in a handicap, but he has a tough draw to contend with. The speedy HARRY’S SILVER won his maiden in good style, albeit in a weak field, and should be improving being by Silvano. FLAG OF FRANCE is off a competitive merit rating and this is a suitable trip but he has a tricky draw. THEWAYWEMAKEM has a chance if able to overcome his high draw. WOTTAHOTTIE is well drawn and has a chance off a lowered merit rating. (David Thiselton 4-15-8-5-2)

Race 3:

Preview: FISH RIVER CANYON has been knocking on the door and on pedigree should enjoy the step up in trip. HALLUCINATION did well in both her first wo starts over 1600m despite over racing both times and she has a chance if settling here. STRUT YOUR STUFF will appreciate the step down to this trip as she has gone close over 2000m before, although the breathing noises she has made before are a concern. (David Thiselton 8-14-3-1-9)

Race 4

Preview: CHARMING CHARLIE’s full sister Duchess Kate has won twice over this trip and he looks hard to oppose in this weak field. STOOL PIGEON should appreciate the step up in trip and a 4kg claimer up will help his cause. YOURS AND MINE has run some fair races in his long maiden career and this appears to be his best trip. (David Thiselton 5-7-2-3-1)

Race 5:

Preview: CONSEQUENTIALLY was transformed by blinkers last time and is likely running off a capped merit rating having been given a maximum eight point raise and she can follow up. RUSSIAN STAR won well last time over 1800m and has another good draw so is a runner again considering she is by Silvano and likely improving. SILVER STRIPE, also by Silvano, is 2kg better off with Russian Star for a one length beating and has a plum draw. TOBESURETOBESURE has done well since a tongue tie has been fitted and is ideally course an distance suited and well drawn. BONDIBLU is well drawn and distance suited so can do well having come down to an attractive merit rating. CAMBRIDGE CHOIR has stayed on over this trip before and has a chance. (David Thiselton 11-6-4-1-3-2)

Race 6:

Preview: MYTHICAL MAGIC ran a good race from a high draw over 1450m last time and now has a plum draw. SHINE BRIGHT has been a touch disappointing in her last two starts but has come down two points and has a plum draw over a suitable trip. BECKONING ran a cracker in her penultimate over this trip and has a chance with an in form apprentice up. (David Thiselton 4-6-9-5-3)

Race 7:

Preview: TRIP TO PARADISE is 1kg better off with  Streetwear for a 0,2 length beating and this progressive sort can carry topweight to victory, although the breathing noises he sometimes makes are a concern and he will have to overcome a tricky draw. STREETWEAR is course and distance suited and this in form horse has the plum number one draw. MOVE LIKE JAGGER is in good form and has a reasonable draw over a suit able course and distance. (David Thiselton 1-6-2-3-7)

Race 8:

Preview: SLEEPINSEATTLE finished strongly last time over 1200m and might now be ready to step up to this trip so can go close from the plum number one draw. Hard knocking INTANDOKAZI is course and distance suited and well drawn. ZEN MASTER was raised only two points for his win last time and over a suitable trip could go close again, but he does have a tough draw to overcome. (David Thiselton 9-7-8-1-6)

Race 9:

Preview: ROQUEBRUNE has plenty of pace and should appreciate the step back to this trip from a nice low draw. ALL NIGHT FLIGHT won well last time and a six point higher mark might not stop him.     JUST AFRICA is very speedy and is drawn on the right side. MAGIC finished lame in his last start in July but has the plum number one draw and has the speed to do well. KAPITAN has the pace to do well here, although he has a high draw to overcome. (David Thiselton 8-4-5-9-7)

Race 10:

Preview: SCOTLAND has come into his own and off a three point higher mark than his win over 1800m and from a good draw he can claim a hattrick. BUSH PILOT won his maiden in good style and should relish the step up in trip so can follow up off a 70 merit rating. SKYNIGHT is well dawn and has struck as one who would enjoy this trip. (David Thiselton 10-1-12-7-2)