There is a tricky nine race meeting tomorrow on the Vaal Inside track where low draws are favourable by trends in all races.

A MR 86 Handicap over 1700m is the highest rated race on the card and there are question marks about all of the leading contenders, so it is not easy to pick a winner. Hamaan from the yard of champion trainer Sean Tarry could be the one to beat. This horse is capable of running on well from off the pace and proved unsuited to handy tactics last time.

Lyle Hewitson takes over from S’Manga Khumalo and if he can tuck this horse in off the pace he will stand a good chance, but he has a tricky draw. Hamaan proved his ability when finishing a decent third in the Listed Derby Trial over 2000m and being by Silvano he should be improving all the time. The trip is a bit of a concern, as he would likely prefer further, although his only win has been over 1800m on the tight Turffontein Inside course.

The horse selected to be the main danger, Yer-Maan, would also prefer further. However, this former winner of the Gr 1 Castle Tankard seldom has any luck with the draw and now has a plum draw, so should be staying on resolutely. Hieronymus has been given two points relief from the handicapper after staying on for a fair fifth over this course and distance last time and he is well drawn again. However, he is yet another horse in this race who would likely prefer further.

Smart Mart would also prefer further but does have a touch of class and can make his presence felt. Dan The Lad stayed on well to win his maiden over 1400m in his penultimate start but then over raced in a 1600m race next time out. He is better than that effort and if settling could be a player.

Urgent Fury’s last win was over this course and distance, but he was drawn in pole that day as opposed to eight here and he is also three points higher in the merit ratings. He does get on well with Gavin Lerena though, so has a chance.

Econium Love made a respiratory noise in a 1450m Graduation Plate last time when finding little extra and that does not augur well for the step up in trip. However, Khumalo is an interesting booking and he has a fair draw.

Lava Flow will have to improve on his first two outings back in South Africa, although if he recaptures his best SA form he will be a threat and it is also his third run after a layoff. Neuf De Pape is drawn well over a suitable trip and although he is off a four point higher merit rating he has a chance if reproducing his going away win over 1600m in his penultimate start.

Lion’s Emblem is the only horse who can be ignored as he has poor recent form and his best form is over staying trips.

The previous race is an interesting MR 80 Handicap over 1800m and here the promising Captain Al colt Crowd Pleaser has an ideal draw for his handy racing style. He was thought good enough run in the Gr 1 SA Classic over this trip last time and although not featuring his previous run in handicap company saw a comfortable win over 1900m, albeit on the Greyville poly where the competition is generally weaker than on the Highveld. However, he has always been well regarded and is the one to beat with Gavin Lerena up.

Cockade, being drawn two outside of Crowd Pleaser, is a handy type who will have the chance of getting a good tow. Scotland is a nice type who rose rapidly through the ranks after finding his feet and he was consistently close up after reaching the 70s in the merit ratings. His last run was all wrong and he would likely have benefitted from a layoff. Dawn Assault just got up to beat the handy type Cockade 1700m last time and is only 0,5kg worse off, so can go close again from a similarly tough draw. Kanonkop has breathing issues, but can never be ignored as he has plenty of ability.

Boiling Point had poor form until winning a 1450m workrider’s maiden like an odds on shot with first time blinkers on. He wasn’t disgraced behind a promising sort last time and is an interesting runner r with Strydom up over a step up in trip which should suit.

The best bet of the day could be My Angelface in race two over 1700m as she should relish the step up in trip and is drawn well. Furthermore, being a Northern Hemisphere-bred who is six months younger than her contemporaries she should be improving all the time.

By David Thiselton