David Thiselton
PUNTERS can have a good time of it at the Vaal straight course today as there look to be some fair opportunities.
In the first race over 1200m, Ace Of Spade has shown pace in both starts before tiring late and should now be cherry-ripe to deliver. Deanagelo will be a big threat as an improving sort who is capable of finishing strongly from 1200m up to 1450m. Fasinada ran a fair third on debut and could also earn. Freezing Fast beat Ace Of Spades when the latter made his debut but is exposed and this will be his 20th start. Fluorescet is another who could be in the shake up.
In the second over 1200m, the first-timer Meeneera makes appeal in an uninspiring field. He is by Dynasty and is a half-brother to the five-time winning Vercingetorix gelding Marshall, who produced his best when dropped back to this trip. Future Lady has run three good races and should make a bold bid again. Bat Out Of Hell has run two fair places and should earn again.
The first leg of The Pick 6 is an uninspiring contest and Mirren makes appeal as she has run some fair races over a mile and should relish the step up in trip being by middle distance sort Mambo In Seattle out of a Fahal mare who won up to 2400m. Wishonaire is a long-time maiden but has placed the last three times she has run over this trip and she is drawn in pole. Wedding Bliss and Electric Boots should enjoy the step up in trip. Irish Willow has finished second in her last two starts over 1400 and 1450m respectively. She tries further and being by Linngari, who won over this trip, and a half-sister to Silver Talewho has won over 1950m, she could get it although on the downside her tried and tested full sister Linnbara seems best at around a mile.
In the fourth race over 2000m, Fast Draw looks ideally distance suited and is well drawn. Soldier’s Song has placed in her last two over 1800m and the form has looked strong and the closest finish she has had to date was over this trip. Orus Apollo appears to be looking for this trip so can stay on into the money. Mister Blue Sky and Forest Phoenix have also shown enough ability to be threats.
In the fifth race over 1200m, Persica has a fine turn of foot and if it pans out well for her, i.e she finds cover, she can make a bold bid to mow them down. Brooklyn Bridge is knocking on the door and enjoyed the step down to this trip last time. Afternoon Tea is a fascinating runner because if she retains the sprinting ability that saw her finish just 2,85 lengths back in the Grade 1 Allan Robertson she will be hard to beat off just a 75 merit rating. She has not run over this trip since the Allan Robertson so could represent good value. It is wide open beyond those three, but Samoa, Flower Of Scotland and Twelve Oaks make most appeal.
In the sixth race over 1200m, Forever Mine has looked to be a sprinter in his last two over further as he has a lot of speed. He should appreciate the step down to this trip and receives 3kg weight from MK’S Pride. The latter also has speed and class and Tropic Sun has plenty of ability so will be dangerous getting weight from Forever Mine.
In the seventh over 1200m, Spanish Boy should relish the step up to 1200m after a fine effort over the too sharp minimum trip last time. Sea Virescent looks to have speed and class and headline jockey S’Manga Khumalo is aboard. Those two make most appeal in a race where just about the whole field could pick up the pieces if they fluff their lines.
In the last race over 1200m it is a similar story with Dogliotti and Louis The Seventh being the two form choices but plenty of others capable of picking up the pieces. Father Time is an interesting runner dropped to the distance of his only win and having showed pace since coming back from a long layoff.
