The Vaal Classic track stages a ten race meeting tomorrow and exotic dividends should be healthy as the racing is competitive.

In the first leg of the PA over 1800m Powered Beauty makes most appeal. The last time he tried this distance he only just failed and is now three points lower in the merit ratings. He does have a wide draw to overcome but in the aforementioned race came from way off the pace under the same jockey, Hennie Greyling. Ryder was not disgraced on Saturday over 1600m in a strong Assessment Plate having stayed on well to be close up in a handicap over 1450m before that. He stays this trip and is drawn in pole so should be involved. He was beaten by Storm Outgoing when they last met. The latter is also well drawn over an ideal trip. However, he does have to bounce back from a poor run last time where he was found to be coughing. Those are the three chosen to get punters through.

In the first leg of the Pick 6 over 1800m Odd Rob used to be a talented but quirky sort who didn’t enjoy being in front and was hard to win with. However, he has become ultra-consistent and didn’t mind the step down to this trip last time, getting up after a late charge. He is only two points higher so can make another bold bid from a fair draw. The Dazzler is a well regarded and progressive sort who is ideally distance suited and he jumps from a plum draw. He does have to carry a big weight though. Yamoto has his third run after a layoff and gelding from a plum draw off a two point lowered merit rating. He should be coming into his own being by Dynasty and should enjoy this trip. Finchatton has fallen to a competitive merit rating and this is an ideal trip, so is hard to ignore. Throng can’t be ignored either as he was staying on in his penultimate start over this trip and is now 2,5kg better off with Odd Rob for a 2,7 length beating and Hewitson is up. He does have the widest draw in the eight horse field though. Come The Day is distance suited and should also be coming into his own so is another one who is tough to ignore. 

The first leg of the Jackpot is even harder being a fillies and mares handicap over 1800m. Big Myth is the choice as she has dropped to a competitive merit rating and will be dangerous from the front under Hewitson, although she does have to come from a wide draw. Mattina disappointed last time when not striding out over 2000m but is now drawn in pole over an ideal trip and has a tongue tie on, having made a respiratory noise when only just failing over this trip in her penultimate start. Ossetra is chosen for third simply because she is the most consistent horse in a race with muddling form. Pretty Border, Angelic, Angelic Appeal, Blue Sage and Santa Vittoria also have to be considered for the Jackpot and Pick 6.

In the sixth race over 2400m Mighty And Magic, as a Twice Over gelding, is likely coming into his own and he is well drawn over a trip he enjoys with the champion jockey up. Village Deep is 1kg under sufferance but is a stayer coming into his own and has only 52kg to shoulder. Highlander can be relied on to be finishing strongly and can be dropped out from a wide draw.

In the seventh over 1450m Queen Moira had some eyecatching Cape Town form and was beaten by a fair sort in her second run on the Highveld last time over 1400m so can go close from a good draw. Invincible Lady drops right down from 2600m but is versatile and well drawn. She has dropped to a competitive merit rating.

In the eight over 1000m Twelve Oaks could cause an upset being just one point higher than her last winning mark and running over a trip she has won over. See You Tyger is in fine form and could claim the hattrick and Opera should also be involved.

In the last leg of the Pick 6 the topweight Arikel has a fine chance on a formline through Ulla. Ilha Da Var has a chance off a two point lowered merit rating. Fly North improved last time and has gone well for Hewitson before. Florence was not disgraced behind Ulla last time in her first run out of the maidens. Ilha Da Var has to be considered too. Queen Of War has dropped to a competitive merit rating and also has a chance.

By David Thiselton