The Vaal Classic track has an eight race meeting tomorrow headed by the Non-Black Type Egoli Mile where the exciting prospect Marshall can defy top weight.

This classy Vercingetorix gelding was found to not be striding out in the Dingaans where he disappointed as favourite. However, he showed he was not an over-hyped horse last time when sauntering to an impressive victory in a handicap over 1450m. This powerful bay with the lively action jumps from draw five and will take a lot of beating despite having to give weight away. He has to give Viper Jet 8kg which won’t be easy as the latter lost to him by only half-a-length over 1160m in the Maidens. Viper Jet sneaks into the handicap with the minimum weight after being given a lenient mark for his easy win over 1450m last time and being by Pomodoro ge should relish the step up in trip. Indy Go makes most appeal of the rest having run well against dome hood horses over this trip although he does have second top weight and a tough draw.

Punters could get off to a good start with Expressfromtheus in the first race over 1450m.

This rangy What A Winter three-year-old has gone close in two starts and now over a step up in trip he will relish he has his first run as a gelding. The form of his last start looks strong as the winner Valetorio finished fifth next time out in the Grade 2 Tony Ruffel Stakes which was won by the classy Ikigai. The other formline which gives it a strong look is that he beat Willo’thewisp by 5,25 lengths. The latter, who also lines up in this race tomorrow, had gone close in two previous starts over 1200m and didn’t appear to have any excuses in that last race.

Another horse who should be improving and running on is Ideal Wolff, although he has a tricky draw to negotiate.

Untamed Tiger is an effective frontrunner and has a reasonable draw of eight. He was bumped at a crucial stage last time over this trip when a 1,50 length second will be dangerous if able to get to the front easily.

Ministerwithout lost his jockey last time but before that had stayed on well from well off the pace over 1200m so he can’t be ignored.

Willo’thewisp could also improve over this trip and he has a plum draw.

The second is also over 1450m and Bianca is an interesting runner here. She was green on debut over this trip and never had much room so as not at all disgraced finishing 5,50 lengths back. She is now drawn in pole with Gavin Lerena up. Wallaa looked a tad outpaced over this trip in October but she has scope and the rest would have allowed her to strengthen. She dos have a wide draw but should be staying on. Lightning Rock comes out better than Bianca on strict formlines on the evidence of her last start but that was her fourth start compared to the latter’s debut.  She has a plum draw of two and should be thereabouts in an overall uninspiring field.

In the third race over 1200m Sweet Trial is a most interesting runner. In her last start over 1000m blinkers were refitted and she won well, beating the promising sort Captain Hindsight. She is effective over this trip and only has a two point raise to deal with, so could go in again. Touch Of Fate is one of the horses who makes Sweet Trial’s win look like good form as he was well beaten by him but has been right there in two subsequent starts over this trip and 1000m respectively. He has good early pace and will be dangerous from a good draw. We All Chomies runs off a reduced merit rating and might enjoy the step down in trip so makes most appeal of the rest. Colour Of Light, Varimax and Baahir warrant consideration.

In the next over 2400m the relatively unexposed Alicante looks to be a useful stayer in the making although the draw of nine is tricky. Piere Strydom is drawn in pole aboard Glamarous Scandal having won on her three runs ago over 2600m. She is five points higher but will appreciate the step back up in trip. Crystal Stream enjoys this trip and has won over it from a similarly wide draw before. Emerald Bay has talent although she needs things to go her way so she will be a threat from draw five. Laconia could still improve having not been disgraced on her handicap bow.

In the next over 2400m three-year-old Out Of Your League won well last time despite bursting through the stalls. He is on the up and can defy a three point raise. Village Deep was narrowly beaten by him in that aforementioned start and should be right there with Strydom up. Brand New Cadillac has put up some fine performances over staying trips and is interesting in his third run after a layoff having had two preparation runs over shorter. Highlander and African Adventure also need to be included.

In the sixth over Tobefair won her Maiden well when stepped up to 1800m and off a reasonable merit rating can go close over this further step up in trip. Rabia The Rebel has been in fine form over this trip since Chase Maujean climbed aboard and should be involved again. Littlewood is off a competitive mark and will be dangerous over a suitable trip from pole position.

The last race over 1600m is open and a few will have to be included. Podcast, Written In Stone, Electromagnetic, In The Game and Top Rank are the ones who make most appeal.

By David Thiselton