Wrecking Ball can live up to her name and provide for a solid exotic bet banker when she lines up for the fifth at The Vaal tomorrow, a Graduation Plate over 1000m. Grant Maroun’s filly has plenty of scope and took an unbeaten record into the Gr2 Umkomazi Stakes against the colts on Gold Cup day only to find one better in Hack Green.
Dennis Drier’s colt franked that form and is still undefeated in three starts as he followed up his Umkomazi win with a narrow victory in the Bloodstock South Africa Million Sprint at Scottsville.
Wrecking Ball is rated three lengths better than any of her rivals, closest in the weights being Mike Azzie’s filly Spring Wonder. The year-older daughter of Querari has dropped to an 85 rating from a career high of 91 but a more likely challenger is Macadamia out of the Roy Magner yard.
The field, including Macadamia, was caught napping by Speedy Gonvarlez over course and distance last time out as the winner lived up to her name and kept rolling after setting a blistering gallop.
Significantly, Gavin Lerena has jumped ship to ride Wrecking Ball with Raymond Danielson taking over aboard Macadamia.
Isca (Nkosi Hlophe)
Another likely to start at short odds tomorrow is the grey Isca from the Gavin van Zyl yard who lines up in the sixth. After a spell in Durban where he won a top division sprint before following up with a second in the Gr3 Umgeni Handicap, he is back on the Highveld with assistant Chesney van Zyl to warm up for the spring season.
A drop in class sees him shouldering a steadier of 60,5kg but he has improved in blinkers and should put in another good showing.
Although 28 runners will be lining up for The Grand Heritage to be run at The Vaal on Saturday, October 1, the competition for places is stiff and only those with strong current form will be considered entries. Donny G, given his current run of form, is unlikely to miss out on a place in the Heritage field but Sean Tarry will be looking to his charge to cement a place. The 1000m trip under top weight could find him out and given that this is a likely warm-up sprint for the Heritage, Isca looks the better proposition.
Anthony Delpech seldom makes the trip to the Highveld unless there are feature race pickings to be had but having recently signed Wilgerbosdrift and Mauritzfontein as sponsors he is now obliged to travel.
His presence at the Vaal is more likely due to his contractual obligations as he partners Nikki in a 1400m Handicap, seventh race on the card, that races in the silks of Wilgerbosdrift where he will be teaming with his old boss, Mike de Kock. Nikki looks to have a fair chance in a competitive race where Jin-Go-Lo-Ba and Movie Award also look capable.
De Kock has taken advantage of Delpech’s presence and his name is penciled in behind the regally bred Australian import Al Fahad that makes his debut in the third. By Aussie super-sire Redoute’s Choice out of a Zabeel mare, just how he fares will be of more than just passing interest.
Tarry saddles Matador Man in the race who was well backed on debut but failed to land the gamble. He has since been rested but could rate the horse to beat as he was unlucky not to win. He was left standing at the gate and was making up ground quickly at the death. That experience could prove invaluable.
Andrew Harrison
