David Thiselton

THE highlight of the nine race meeting at the Vaal straight course tomorrow will be the second, a Progress Plate over 1000m, as Mount Pleasant will attempt to redeem himself after three disappointing runs.

This Australian-bred was the highest rated three-year-old in the country after winning his first three races from 1100m to 1450m including beating decent older horses in the Grade 2 Jo’burg Spring Challenge. However, he has finished unplaced in all three subsequent starts, which were all Grade 2 events. Two of them were over 1600m so it could be argued that he did not stay. He then faded again over 1160m but he did have first-time blinkers on and had taken a strong hold from the off. The blinkers have been removed and he drops further down in trip.  This long-strider, who has now dropped to a 114 rating, certainly has a lot of pace and this will be his last chance to prove that he is not following in the footsteps of his sire Vancouver, who was unbeaten in five starts as a two-year-old, including the Group 1 Golden Slipper, but never got going as a three-year-old and was soon retired. Another concern for Mount Pleasant’s Chances is that his talented jockey Callan Murray has been going through a rough patch and has not had a single winner this month. Slalom Queen is a zippy filly and she has two wins and a second in three starts over this course and distance, although she is officially 2,5kg under sufferance with Mount Pleasant. Visiway has a winning chance too. He is speedy and is capable of blitzing a field but the concern is the respiratory noises he has been reported to make and it seemed to manifest last time when not able to find extra in the closing stages. However, that was against MK’s Pride and Tropic Sun et al and it was over 1200m so back down to 1000m he has a definite shout. The officially best weighted horse is Vaseem, who used to be a stablemate of Mount Pleasant’s in the Mike de Kock yard, but he has not run for close to six months and has his first outing for Roy Magner. The yard said, “He is fit and well but will need the run.” Battleoftrafalgar disappointed last time when drawn quite low at Turffontein Standside but he enjoys the Vaal and can do better although he has a tough task at the weights, being 8kg under sufferance with Vaseem. Garden Party is 6,5kg under sufferance with Mount Pleasant so this quirky but speedy sort will also have it tough and South East, who also has a tough task at the weights, doesn’t appear to enjoy soft going and there is plenty of rain around. 

In the first race over 1000m Sonny Quinn is the form choice from Just As Rich, although Night King looks the part and blinkers could ignite him after his moderate debut around the turn. 

In the third over 1000m I Dream Of Genie is superbly bred, being by Gimmethegreenlight out of Judpot mare Little Genie, who once defeated the champion sprinter Carry On Alice in a Listed event over 1000m when receiving just 1,5kg. She has not surprisingly been priced up as favourite. The form choice among those to have run is undoubtedly Zodiac Princess who gets the blinkers back on dropping back to 1000m.  

In the fourth over 1400m Spanish Song caught the eye staying on strongly over 1200m on debut after dwelling at the break. She has substance and has a shout with improvement. Lucy Belle had to be dropped out to last in her last start over this trip and had too much ground to make up but ran on well and she will appreciate going down the straight here as she can run on from closer to the pace. Ancestral Prayer is a big and classy looking filly by Ideal World out of Grade 2 KRA Fillies Guineas winner Maybe Yes and she should improve on her debut over 1200m when backed before being outpaced and green.  The two early weak favourites were Dynamic Lass, who is by Dynasty out of five-time winning Grade 3-placed Ellie’s Wish, and Just Judy, who finished second in an uninspiring contest over 1600m last time where she was caught late.   

The fifth is a competitive Maiden Handicap over 1400m. Light Warrior has a nice big action and a good turn of foot and he will appreciate the step down in trip after being caught behind a slow pace over 1600m last time.  

The sixth over 1800m sees the return of the much touted Reunion, a ten length winner on debut. He simply went too fast in front over 1600m last time and can be forgiven that run. He is by Flower Alley out of Ilha Bela so should love this trip but he dos have topweight and hasn’t run since late December so preference is for the consistent and progressive Kay Tee Perry, who strikes as one who will enjoy this step up in trip.  

In the seventh over 1000m Upcloseandpersonal will have come on from her last start and could be the one to side with although it is another competitive race.

In the eighth over 1200m Midnight Gem did not beat much on debut but created a good impression and can follow up. Hear The Trumpet and Java House have the ability to be involved too. Fantasy Flower has come into her own and can’t be ignored and Incognito and Ramchandani Road could also be in the shake up.

Lucy In The Sky was still green when winning easily on debut and could follow up in the ninth although Speechmaker and Ramsay have to be respected too.