Romi’s Boy made a cracking start to his racing career just over a week ago and can get punters off to a winning start in the first race at The Vaal classic track on Tuesday. Alec Laird’s colt made his debut at the Vaal two Saturday’s back where the centre rail was removed to accommodate the 28-runner field of the Grand Heritage.

Romi’s Boy was one of only 16 runners but was up against an odds-on favourite in Doosra who had already shown promise. As expected Doosra duly bowled the field over but Romi’s Boy was doing his best work late and if he can build on that effort it will take a good one to beat him.

The orange and black silks of Adriaan and Rika van Vuuren are a familiar sight on the Highveld and more often than not in the winner’s enclosure. They can pay a further visit when Mike Azzie saddles Pajama Party in the second. The four-year-old has been a late starter, only making his first appearance on a race course this season. He has finished runner-up in two starts around the tight Turffontein inside track and looks good enough to break his duck.

Tendre made a smart debut at long odds and can prove a threat as Joey Soma has booked Anton Marcus for the ride. This is Marcus’s only ride and if he makes the trip up from KZN then the inference is obvious. Air Force Legend has been placed in all three starts over further but returns from a lay-off which could find him out when it comes to the finish.

Fingers Crossed and Crown Court could suffice in the opening leg of the Pick 6. The has improved with each outing and looks primed for this race. Piere Strydom replaces Gavin Lerena on Fingers Crossed and gets the leg up on Crown Court. Mike de Kock’s charge was a beaten favourite when a distant third at her second outing after making a smart debut and is the obvious danger to the first choice.

From here on in things get difficult.

Polar Secret is in good form going into the fourth and stays the trip. She still has a lowly rating even after four wins but has drawn an outside gate which could prove her downfall in what is a weak handicap. Sim-Alley Bank was rested after finally shedding her maiden and was in need of her latest start. She should also enjoy the rise in trip and looks the main threat to the top weight.

The fifth sees the lightly raced Cashin in good form and he was only narrowly beaten last start after winning his first two. Chepardo has his third run after a break and has not been far back in two comeback runs. He should strip at his peak. Chili Con Carne can also heat this up after making a promising seasonal debut in a useful field.

Veteran galloper Capuche has come to hand of late and is a speculative choice in a tough race. He goes well this trip and should feature if holding for. Trip To Troy was a little disappointing when a beaten favourite last run but that said he was a luke-warm 4-1. He was narrowly beaten prior to that and can make amends while Trip To Paradise is seldom far back and is course and distance suited. He goes well for Strydom.  El Bombero, a close-up third under a light weight at his penultimate start and back over a more suitable trip is another to consider.

In the seventh, Comme-Ci-Comme-Ca was rested after her win on debut but made a smart return to the track in Graduation company. She has a fair weight but could prove a cut above her opposition. 8

The last is a minefield but Flag Of France is always game and has been in good form of late. He is looking for his ninth victory and is still off a handy merit rating. Spring Steel is lightly raced but is still being persevered with which suggests that there is still life. He has not been out since March last year but he comes from a very much in form stable.

Andrew Harrison