David Thiselton
THE VAAL CLASSIC track stages an eight race meeting today where there should be some opportunities for punters.
The meeting starts with an uninspiring maiden over 1200m in which Ashley Fortune fields five of the seven runners. However, she might not win it because Johan Janse van Vuuren introduces the Querari filly Insatiable who is by Querari out of the Listed Oaks Trial winner Inaninstant, who was by the late great Silvano. Fortune’s best hope could lie with Runaway Princess who showed a lot of pace on debut over this trip, although she was beaten 7,75 lengths. Second time out she was caught wide over 1200m from a wide draw on the Turffontein Inside course. Thai Treat has scope for improvement after being beaten ten lengths over 1200m on debut. He has a nice pedigree being by Duke Of Marmalade out of the dual Grade 1-winning sprinter Rat Burana but he started 50/1 on debut. Merlins Boy by Willow Magic finished a length behind Thai Treat on debut but showed pace and has scope for improvement. The first-timer Edward Longshanks is by William Longsword out of a Var maiden who is a half-sister to Grade 2 winner Paterfamilias.
In the second race over 1000m Abalus has pace and will appreciate the step down from 1200m but might well have to settle for a sixth successive second place finish because Alula’s Star was eyecatching on debut and looks the likely winner. This Red Ray filly has substance and coming from the Stuart Pettigrew yard should be progressive. Alula’s Star’s first-timer stablemate Miss United States is by the promising new sire The United States out of the Grey Eminence mare Madrisa, who was precocious and won five of her first six starts including a juvenile Listed sprint and a juvenile Grade 3 sprint. However, at time of writing Miss United was quoted at 25/1, which does not augur well. Another first-timer Meadow Beauty is by Flower Alley and is a half-sister to the like of Grade 3 winner Mount Laurel and to three-time winner Foreign Field. First-timer Iphiko is by Trippi out of a Listed-winning Western Winter mare.
In the third race over 1600m Lilliana had blinkers fitted second time out over 1400m and led before being run out of it to lose by just 0,30 lengths. She is a full-sister to the fair sort Nartjie who has won over 1600m and 1800m so she should relish the step up in trip. Code Zero goes from sprints up to 1600m but this Master Of My Fate filly should enjoy it on pedigree. Gilda Gray has 2,20 lengths to find on Lilliana. Covermeinsunshine is an interesting outsider having not been disgraced over 1450m in her penultimate start before being tried in the BSA Sales Cup where she was beaten 15 lengths. Inexperienced pair Cap Estel and Monoshada are not out of it either on their best runs.
In the fourth race over 1450m Rapid Charge, a full-sister to Surcharge, looks likely to enjoy the step down in trip having moved up last time over 1700m and not finding enough in the closing stages. The cheekpieces are replaced by blinkers and this could be her day from a fair draw of three out of six. Time Request was only 1,75 lengths behind Rapid Charge in that last race over 1700m and is also improving. Kissed By Fire has improved this winter and is also a contender.
In the fifth over 1800m Splash Of Green won her penultimate start over 1600m well and although it was just a maiden she was subsequently not disgraced in the Grade 1 Thekwini Stakes. She should enjoy the 1800m trip and although running off a 90 merit rating she only has to carry 52.5kg and the flying Muzi Yeni is aboard. Ideal Jet is distance suited and is improving being by Ideal World so will be a threat. Last Cheer is a bit in and out but is capable and can’t be ignored. In form Opera Glass is also hard to ignore and Rock You and Consol Queen are not out of it so it could be a race in which to include the field.
In the sixth race Wedding Bliss has been disappointing but drops down to a 64 merit rating and this trip from a good draw should suit. However, it is another race in which to go wide with Fasinada, Lady Of The Flame, Rabia The Rebel, Tinder Dry and Senescence all having chances.
A chance is taken with two bankers in the last two races, Funky Music and Elusive Swann.
Funky Music is honest and highly consistent and with champion jockey Lyle Hewitson up over an ideal 1600mm trip can get it right despite a tough draw.
In the last race Elusive Swann has caught the eye in his last two starts over 1400m and 2000m and now runs over his optimum 1600m trip from pole position so he should be finishing strongly and can get up under Jeffery Syster, who was aboard in his last race.
