The eight race meeting at the Vaal tomorrow provides a few good looking opportunities for punters.
The first race over 1000m should be won by the Paul Peter-trained Judpot colt War Room, despite him having to give 3kg to the rest of the field. He showed a lot of pace on debut to beat Zimbala by 0,75 lengths over this trip and the rest of the field were 6,25 lengths back. The form of the race has worked out well. A Promise To Dream looks the best of the others to have run and the first-timer who makes most appeal is Karnallie, a gelding by Futura out of a three-time winner over 2000m.
The second might provide Paul Peter with a quick double, although the first-timer Brooklyn Bridge is preferred. Peter’s two-year-old filly Miracle Flight is unbeaten in two starts. She has a lot of pace and stays on so might hold on over the minimum trip despite having to give the rest of the field 5kg. However, there could well be an upset as it is not easy for an early two-year-old to give that amount of weight away. Brooklyn Bridge is by promising new sire Global View. The latter has had two runners and both won on debut, so he will be attempting here to equal Western Winter’s feat of having three debut winners with his first three runners. Brooklyn Bridge is out of full sister to Listed-winning Australian-bred sprinter Uber Rock so should have speed and is tipped to upset Miracle Flight. Elusive Woman could give some cheek being 2kg better off with Miracle Flight for a 3,75 length beating.
In the third race over 1200m Viper Jet comes off a far from disgraced fifth place finish in the Listed Secretariat Stakes over 1400m. He has some zip and will likely enjoy the step down in trip so is going to be hard to beat in this maiden. However, there will be very little between him and Solarize. The latter has run two good races over 1200m and the horse who beat him by 1,10 lengths last time, Valetorio, finished fifth in the Grade 3 Tony Ruffel Stakes over 1400m next time out.
In the fourth race over 1200m Allez Le Bleu makes most appeal having finished close to Lady Of Steel over this course and distance in her penultimate start, but does have a low draw which might be problematic. Little Rain ran on strongly last time over 1160m at Turffontein and just failed so can go close. Roman Royalty was slowly away in that race after being backed from 10/1 into 33/10 on debut and she ran on well before tiring in the latter stages to be beaten 1,90 lengths into third. She will have come on from the run and should be right there. Leading Fast went close over 1160m last time and ran an identical time to Little Rain on the same day. She is by Silvano so should be improving. Fire Flower showed good pace on debut in that race and with improvement will be right there too. Bid Catcher was backed on debut and after a slow start stayed on for a reasonable 3,75 length sixth to Masaaqaat, so she is another who could earn.
The fifth race over 1200m should go to Eden Roc, who is a Grade 1 winner over this trip and is well in at the weights. Carbon Atom and Fitzwilliam are selected to follow him home.
In the sixth over 1200m Mr Flood impressed in his comeback from a year’s layoff last time when winning the Grade 3 Lebelo Sprint. He needed that run and can follow up here. Van Halen is a Grade 1 winner over this trip and has been in fine, consistent form so is the main danger. Schippers is the best in at the weights and will relish the step back down in trip and hopefully her low draw will not be a problem. Romi’s Boy could be in the shake up to, being 1kg better off with Mr Flood for a 1,25 length beating. Rebel’s Champ is a must include as he has speed and a lot of courage and comes off a narrow loss over this trip. Matador Man is an interesting runner as he has class and should be flying home after his usual slow start.
In the seventh over 1500m Three Peaks won cosily over 1400m in the maidens and off an opening handicap mark of 81 she could follow up. Oh Mercy Me ran on strongly over 1600m last time after being dropped out from a wide draw and should be closer to the pace down the straight here. Gavon Lerena stays aboard and she will go close. Seven Sea has to be included too after running a good race in the Three Troikas.
In the last race Evening Bell ran a disappointingly flat race over 1600m last time but she has been lowered two points and will relish the step up to 2000m here. Hawthorn didn’t take to blinkers last time and they are off so she will be a threat. It is an open race and Moroccan Flame, Jive Express, Plum Field, Jacko Boy, Sammi Moosa, Cranberry Crush and Rabia The Rebel also warrant consideration.
By David Thiselton
