David Thiselton
The Vaal Classic track has an interesting eight race meeting today and those who do their homework could reap the rewards.
In the first race the big Master Of My Fate filly Scottadito has shown herself to have plenty of natural speed in her first two starts over 1400m and 1600m respectively and she might well relish the step down to 1000m. She will be ridden by the accomplished Erin-Lee Watkinson, who has ridden two winners in just seven workrider race rides. Pick A Lily is always thereabouts and should earn her eleventh successive cheque. Puff Of Smoke is an interesting runner as she has shown some pace and is still immature so should enjoy the step down to 1000m and looks to have scope for improvement.
In the second race also over 1000m Frontline Fighter showed good pace last time and was run out of it to be beaten just 0,70 lengths over this trip last time out so he can make amends here. He is the one to beat but there are a couple of interesting first-timers who would not have to be great shakes to go close here. Last Clouds is by Soft Falling Rain out of the useful five-time-winning Listed-winning Var sprinter Easy Game so should be packed with speed. She is out at 16/1 in the betting but this might be due to there not being a top echelon jockey aboard. However, Brian Nyawo is one of the most underrated jockeys on the Highveld and brings the good ones home when he is given the opportunity. Averni Warrior is by the boom sire Vercingetorix out of a twice-winning sprinter by Captain Al who also ran for the Houdalakis yard. Vercingetorix regularly imparts precocious speed into his progeny unlike his celebrated sire Silvano. Eastern Cape raider Emerald Flame has a chance if repeating his staying on second from the front over 1000m at the Vaal in his penultimate start. Thai Treat showed pace last time out to and could also earn.
The third race over 1450m is wide open but as the experienced runners all have question marks it might fall to the first timer from the Paul Peter yard Indus Knight, who is by Flower Alley out of a five-time winning Model Man mare and he is a half-brother to two Listed placed horses. Lulu’s Boy is the obvious choice from pole position and his pace in the current fast going will make him particularly dangerous. However, on runing style he has a slight stamina doubt although on pedigree he should get it being by Byword out of a National Emblem mare who won from 1000m to 1400m. Twosidestoastory looks to have ability and scope but will need to settle from a wide draw as he showed a tendency to overrace returning from a layoff last time. On The Warpath and Leshawes look to be improving sorts who will be staying on. Master Of Law and Freezing Fast can’t be ignored either.
In the fourth over 1450m the first-timer Kiawah has Lyle Hewitson up. He is by Silvano out of a twice-winning Kahal mare and she is a half-sister to recent winner over this trip Katzenthal (Coup De Grace). Red Hot will go close if he jumps better than last time as she should be handy although she will need some luck from draw eight. The Bomb Dotcom, Ocean’s Pride and Sky View also need to be included though in this uninspiring field.
In the fifth over 1000m Kwite A Trip is progressive and can make it a fourth win in his last six starts as he looks capable of handling a five point raise. Marengo will be a threat as a quick horse who is loving the fast conditions although he needs to overcome a six point raise. Warrior Captain is 3.5kg under sufferance but should rise above his current merit rating and could prove dangerous with a light weight. Singfonico is 1kg better off with Kwite A Trip for a length beating. Irfaans Boy sneaks in to the handicap with the minimum weight but ws thrashed as a juvenile by Warrior’s Captain back in March.
In the sixth over 2400m Manterio was a hard knocker in the maidens and having gained confidence with an easy win last time over this trip could follow up off a reasonable merit rating with Yeni up. However, under the Classified conditions he will have his work cut out beating Smiley River, who is going for a hattrick and on official merit ratings is 2kg better off with second-best weighted horses which include Manterio.
In the seventh over 2200m the progressive Opera Glass can make it a middle distance hattrick running off a four point higher mark for his last win over 1800m. A ten point raise did not stop him last time and Khumalo stays aboard. Southern Song and Un Deux Trois look to be the dangers although including the whole field cold be a consideration here for the Jackpot and Pick 6.
In the last race over 2200m pole position drawn Mariposa is a lot better than her last start and can beat home Sophia’s First and Crusade To Royalty. Western Dance and Olympic Silk also warrant consideration.
