David Thiselton

THE Vaal straight course has an eight race meeting today and there look to be a few opportunities for punters.

In the first race over 1200m Supreme Dance made a good debut when running on strongly for second behind the promising Sea Virescent who was entered in a Listed feature next time out. This Futura colt should come on from the run and on a line through Marrakech has the beating of chief market rival Eyes On Tiger by one-and-a-half lengths. Eyes On Tiger has improved and runs for an in-form combination of Paul Matchett and Muzi Yeni and he looks to be the only danger.  

In the second race over 1200m Right Choice was unlucky last time over 1100m at Turffontein Standside as she was slowly away and then had to be switched to the Inside before running on for a 0,30 length second to stablemate Dunyaa with the rest six lengths back. She should appreciate the extra 100 metres being by Global View who won a Grade 2 over 1700m out of a Lecture mare who won over 1200m. However, preference is for the well bred first-timer Ancestral Prayer, who is by Ideal World out of the Grade 2 KRA Fillies Guineas winner Maybe Yes who has to date produced the 91 rated Spero Optima. The Lucky Houdalakis yard usually bring them on slowly but surely but have had two first-timer winners this season and one of them, Castle Durrow, was ridden Craig Zackey, who is aboard Ancestral Prayer today. Furthermore, Ancestral Prayer would not need to be a superstar to win this race. Incognito can fill a trifecta position if reproducing her best. 

In the third race over 1600m Rosaprima is the choice. This Diane Stenger-trained Marchfield mare was handy over 1400m last time and then hit a flat spot halfway down the Turffontein Standside straight. However, she then suddenly got going again and was finishing strongly for a 2,50 length second. The winner, Perfect Angel, then ran a decent third first time out the maidens over the same trip off an 84 merit rating. Rosaprima should also relish the step up in trip being by Marchfield out of an Australian-bred mare who won up to 1800m. Mode has been in hard-knocking form and has a fine chance too. Last time she was a bit short of room late over 1700m but was doing good late work for third and two winners and a second have come out of that race from seven subsequent runners. Masaaken should also be in the shake up as she was making eyecatching progress over 1160m on debut and on pedigree she will relish the step up in trip being out of European Champion two-year-old Teofilio, whose two Group 1 wins were over seven furlongs, out of a Stratun mare who won up to 1800m.

The fourth is an interesting MR 93 Handicap over 1600m. Spice Market has raced quite strongly in front in her last two starts over this trip bit as entitled to as she had to be rushed to the front to overcome wide respective draws. She was still stretching clear at the line last time to win her maiden by 5,25 lengths with another 3,25 lengths back to the third placed horse. An interesting formline is that in a previous maiden over this trip she lost by a quarter of a length to Ululate and would have been receiving 3,5kg from the latter has she not been scratched. Chloris showed a fine turn of foot when winning her maiden over 1400m and being by Flower Alley will be a big runner too over a step up in trip she should enjoy. Her stablemate Sparkling Water has plenty of scope and came from last to run a good second in just her second career start last time over 1400m having won on debut over 1450m. This big filly will relish the step up in trip and makes appeal too. 

The rest of the races, consisting of two fillies and mares handicaps and two Classified Stakes races, are more difficult.

In the first of the handicaps over 1600m Un Deux Trois form is an enigma as she finished unplaced in a handicap over 1400m in her penultimate start but then ran a cracker over this in a Graduation Plate where she faced the classy 112 rated Marygold and was beaten just four lengths. She beat the 92 rated Elusive Woman and the 106 rated Gee For Go so if reproducing that run off a 77 rating she is the one to beat. The hard-knocking Tartan Dancer is chosen to fight it out. However, Kayla’s Dream. Fleur Du Cap and Phoenix must be considered too.

In the second of the handicaps over 2000m The Sash makes plenty of appeal despite being double figure odds. The Azzie yard are in fair form and this Brave Tin Soldier mare cracks her first good draw since jumping from pole and finishing a 2,25 length fourth to the decent sort Kokeshi over this course and distance. Furthermore, she is now two points lower in the merit ratings. Fire Flower relished the step up to 1800m last time and won well and a further step up to 2000m from pole position could see her able to overcome a six point raise for that win.

The Classified Stakes races are based on merit rated bands and females are given an allowance too, so some horses are at a weight advantage over others.

In the first of the Classified races over 1000m Alex The Great is distance suited and is the form choice. However, Touch Of fate has developed into a fair sort and over this ideal trip it would be no surprise to see him follow up on his win last time. He lost to Alex The Great on these same terms the last time they met but fly-jumped badly that day and was then rushed before fading. Florence, Capitiana and Lagertha make most appeal of the rest.

The last race, a Classified over 1400m, is wide open. Dogliotti is coming into his own and should enjoy this trip. Master Uletide has substance and should enjoy the step up in trip. Heart Of A Legend makes most appeal of the female runners.