David Thiselton

THE Vaal Classic track holds an eight-race meeting today and the headliner is the seventh, a Progress Plate over 1600m.

Tree Tumbo finished placed in both the Grade 2 Charity Mile and Grade 1 Summer Cup so could hold too many guns here despite carrying top weight. He can be dropped out from a tricky draw before mowing them down.

Bold Jazz, who is a lot better than his last start, is also capable of turning it on over this trip and can take advantage of a good draw. Willow Express has a good draw and could also go close in his bid for a hattrick.

In the first race, a Workriders’ event over 1000m, the first-timer by Elusive Fort, Aurora’s Light, has been priced up as favourite. Elusive Fort was also sire of two of her dam’s siblings and one win in Kimberley was the best return, so on pedigree evidence Aurora Light is up against it. However, Paul Peter-trained first-timers in workrider’s events always have to be respected.

Nevertheless, Abalus ran well second time out over this trip, staying on for second and looks the one to beat. Smelting has enough ability to earn here too. The most interesting runner is Talladega, who is priced up as biggest outsider. She has a lot of pace but tends to fade late. She looked booked for a place on Saturday at Turffontein over 1160m but faded late as usual, so she will relish the step down to this trip. The problem however, is that she tends to jump hesitantly, so it all depends on how much ground she loses at the start. 

The second race over 1000m should see Imitation Game being hard to beat. The Johan Janse van Vuuren-trained first-timers Connection (by Greys Inn out of multiple stakes-race runner up Crystal Glamour (Seventh Rock)) and Constitutional (by Querari and a full-brother to three-times Listed placed Champery) look to be the chief dangers.

In the third race over 1450m, the Irish-bred Sybaris has a fine pedigree, being by Fastnet Rock out of a Galileo mare who is a half-sister to Group 1 winning sire Dutch Art. She only has to beat Ocean’s Pride, still a maiden at the age of six but one who has blossomed this season.

Stormy Weathers looks the one most likely to pick up the pieces if those two fail.

In the fourth over 1450m blinkers should help Grace From Above get to the front and as one who looks the part he could get off the mark. Castle Corner has finished second multiple times and can do so again over a suitable trip in his first run after a layoff. Laird Of Breedon could be in the shake up too.

In the fifth over 2000m, Siren Of Greece is getting the hang of it and could get off the mark at the expense of another hard knocker who has to overcome a wide draw, Sophia’s First.

In the sixth over 1600m Enigma Code has the chance to prove his last few runs were all wrong as he now has a plum draw of two and blinkers could help. He is attractively weighted in this maiden handicap.

However, Passing Shot and Nussply also look to have good chances. Mister Blue Sky should be staying on and Curfew is not out of it either.

In the last race over 1000m, Belle Of Belize flew through late over this trip after a slow start last time and can go one better. Look To The Sky has plenty of pace and over this optimum trip could hold on despite officially being 2.5kg under sufferance with the best weighted horses. Alex The Great, Magic Choice and Love Lies make most appeal of the rest.