The Vaal straight track features one of the most exciting races of the season tomorrow, the WSB Grand Heritage over 1475m, and a field of 28 will go to post.

The one to beat is the highly regarded Riverstown, who was staying on strongly over 1450m last time to be beaten just 1,25 lengths by the classy Ikigai. Riverstown has a merit rating of 104 but has earned it and even then, as a three-year-old, he only has to carry 53,5kg. The draw always plays a part in this big field race but if there is a bias it is usually on the outside and that is where Riverstown is drawn. Against the Grain is talented and as one who had an interrupted three-year-old campaign he is lightly raced and could still be ahead of the handicapper. This is an ideal distance and he will be cherry ripe having his third run after a layoff.

Social Order has some class and has recently proved himself useful over sprint distances so as one who stays a lot further this trip should be ideal. These three could get punters through all of the exotics. For those who want to go wider the two in form mares Aurelia Cotta and Florida Quays are drawn on the right side and are distance suited. Fired Up is proving useful and is distance suited but the unknown is whether his low draw will be a disadvantage. Danza can never be ignored over this trip and last year’s winner of the Grand Heritage match race final, Dan The Lad, also has a shout off a competitive merit rating. 

Order has some class and has recently proved himself useful over sprint distances so as one who stays a lot further this trip should be ideal. These three could get punters through all of the exotics. For those who want to go wider the two in form mares Aurelia Cotta and Florida Quays are drawn on the right side and are distance suited. Fired Up is proving useful and is distance suited but the unknown is whether his low draw will be a disadvantage. Danza can never be ignored over this trip and last year’s winner of the Grand Heritage match race final, Dan The Lad, also has a shout off a competitive merit rating. 

In the Non-Black type WSB Sophomore 1000 Spring Break returns from a 133 day layoff but in her previous start on Gold Cup day in the Grade 3 Umkhomazi Stakes over 1200m against the boys she only just failed to hold on from the classy African Warrior. Her ability can pull her through here. Rio’s Winter was unlucky last time in a feature and could also be in the shake up. Basadi Faith is unbeaten in four starts on the Highveld and her class will help her carry topweight. For wider Donderweer will appreciate the step back in trip and Land Of The Brave looked to be useful over this trip last time. 

In The WSB Consolation the ex-Zimbabwean horse Oden looks useful and should enjoy this 1475m trip, judged on her last start in which she ran on effortlessly over 1200m to win cosily. Putontheredlight will go close if bouncing back from his Graham Beck run, where nothing went right. Mr Greenlight has shown touches of class and enjoys this distance. Lake Kinnaret has ability and will be finishing well and In Cahoots has a drop in class over a suitable trip so could earn.

The first leg of the Pick 6 is an uninspiring contest over 2400m and Martha is the obvious horse. These staying maidens can produce upsets though and Irish Dame, The Joceleyn Tree, Carry Me Carrie and Alicante also warrant consideration.

In the fifth race over 2000m Evening Bell is a scopey sort who will relish stepping back up to the 2000m trip of her maiden win. Jacko Boy is improving all the time and goes for a distance hattrick and the talented Jet Start also has to be included, despite having her second run after a layoff.

The last leg of the Pick 6 over 2000m could be won by Sammi Moosa who is drawn well and is capable of a strong finish. She enjoys soft going too. The biggest threats could be Smiley River and Itsmydarlin, but Tehuano, Perfect Light and Jive Express also warrant consideration.      

By David Thiselton