The Vaal Outside track stages a competitive nine race card tomorrow. High draws have been favourable by trends at this course.
The meeting heralds the return of the 111 merit-rated Brazuca, who runs in the second race, a Graduation Plate over 1400m. He has not been seen since running third to Legal Eagle and French Navy in the Gr 1 Premier’s Champions Challenge over 2000m at the end of April. He deserved the rest having campaigned in Cape Town and in the Highveld classics. He should outclass this field as he has some speed and this should be an ideal trip for his return.
The best bet on the card could come in race three in the form of September Bloom. The Gitano Hernando filly is a decent looking sort and faces an uninspiring fillies and mares maiden field here over 1200m. In her last start over 1450m on the Turffontein Inside track she over raced early and was then stopped in her tracks when beginning a telling run. She still picked up well after that and the form has worked out well. She should relish this 1200m trip and from a fair draw of ten might be too classy here, despite having not raced since August. The obvious danger is At A Glance, but against her is a low draw.
The seventh race is a MR 92 Handicap over 1000m. Daspoort is six points higher than his highest winning mark, but has turned the corner and proved last time he was up to his current merit rating. He had a tough draw on that occasion and was also a bit hampered in the closing stages, but still managed to stay on for a one length third to the speedy Magic. He now has a plum draw on the outside rail and Piere Strydom rides. He is given the nod for value bet on the card. Isphan is speedy and is off a competitive merit rating. He should make a bold bid, although he might end up giving Daspoort a nice tow and then be caught late. Seattle Singer would not be a surprise winner. She is a three-year-old filly running against the boys off a 94 merit rating, but has class and speed and done well against males at GR 1 level before. However, her draw is not as favourable as Daspoort’s and might cost her.
Another contender for best bet is Fieldmarshal Fenix, who runs in the eighth race, a MR 75 Handicap over 1000m. He has a nice stride on him and used it to lengthen in the closing stages of his debut over the quick 1160m Turffontein course. He is a four-year-old so started off as a 67 merit rating and was raised to a 70 after finishing second over 1450m. The form of his maiden over 1160m, in which he beat Refuge and Ronin Warrior, has worked out exceptionally well as they have gone on to win another five races between them. He has a fair draw and does not face an inspiring field. However, the slight concern is that he would probably prefer a touch further than 1000m.
In the first race Plum British could be a fair bet. This three-year-old gelding has plenty of speed, not surprisingly being by Great Britain. He is better drawn than the pair who strike as the main dangers, Amber Flash and Flying Russian. The question is whether he will stay the extra 200m in this 1200m event and he is given the nod too as he is a robust sort who should have come on from his first two career outings.
September Bloom’s performance in race three will be of interest regarding the chances of Miss Turbo in race five over 1400m. Miss Turbo beat the former the last time they met over 1450m. September Bloom was unlucky there, but Miss Turbo has dropped to a competitive merit rating after not being disgraced against a promising sort last time and has a favourable draw with Gavin Lerena up.
David Thiselton
