Taxhaven (white blinkers on in 5th place) is back in maiden company after a fine fifth in the Gr 1 TAB SA Derby (Picture: via Racing Today youtube)
The Vaal Classic track has an intriguing eight race meeting on Tuesday and there look to be opportunities for on the nose and exotic punters.
The Paul Matchett-trained Erupt colt Taxhaven is likely to be a popular choice in the fourth race, a Maiden Plate over 2000m.
Taxhaven is merit rated 96, having finished a three length fifth in the Gr 1 SA Derby. However, that was a slow run race, so it might have flattered him and he is not a certainty in this second leg of the Pick 6 event. In fact he was only a short-head ahead of Dark Silver when they met over this trip. Taxhaven is the choice as there is a reversal in draw fortunes with Dark Silver that are in his favour. Karoo Gold is hard-knocking and not out of it from a fair draw. Callaburn is widely drawn but on form could earn. Douglas Dragon and Teo Torriate could earn cheques if producing their best.
In the first race over 1000m the Fanie Bronkhorst-trained Var filly Valieva has some good form against decent opposition and from a high draw, which can often be favourable over this course and distance, looks to be the one to beat. Far Reaching is not big and imposing but showed she has ability when producing a strong late run on debut over 1000m on the Turffontein Inside track to be beaten just 0,60 lengths. Two winners have come out of that race and she could improve, so is not surprisingly the early favourite in the betting. Kindred Heart is knocking on the door but on collateral formlines Far Reaching emerges ahead. Take Your Place is well held on collateral formlines but has some ability and can earn. Stroopsoet is by Pomodoro and is a half-sister to the like of Encryption (Elusive Fort), who won on debut over 1200m.
In the second race over 1000m Ready Set Fire has a high draw and will be hard to beat considering that in his last two starts, both over this course and distance, he has finished second to Pistol Pete and third to Gr 2 SA Nursery winner Fire Attack. Beynac is an interesting first-timer being a full-brother to Invincabelle, who won his first two starts comfortably beating Hoedspruit and Jet Dark, before finishing a close second to Kometdieding and then running a close seventh in the Cape Guineas and never running again. He is also a full-brother to Immortelle who won on debut at Scottsville, but ended up campaining in Kimberley, and a half-brother to No Time Taken, who won debut at Turffontein, but he is also a full-brother to Champonelle, who is still a maiden. Piere Strydom is an interesting booking on Beynac. French Bolt is a first-timer by Var, who is a half-sister to Gr 2 SA Nursery winner Miss Cool. Chocolate Soldier was well beaten on debut but was considered good enough to run in the Gr 2 SA Nursery, where he was beaten 10,50 lengths by Fire Attack. Zafar is by Captain Of All out of a twice-winning Await The Dawn mare from 1200m to 1600m.
In the third over 1000m Enchanting Lady has been knocking hard and is improving so looks the one to beat despite draw number one, which can be unfavourable. What A Lucy has not run since last August, but might get away with it over this trip and has a chance on form. Magic Secret has early pace and although beaten comfortably by Enchanting Lady last time there is a potential reversal in draw fortunes, which could allow her to get closer than 2,25 lengths. Just The Two Of Us can improve on her debut when four lengths behind Enchanting Lady and she has a nice high draw. The first-timer Rise And Shine is by Canford Cliffs and is a half-sister to Red Chesnut Road who won his debut by over seven lengths and won his second start in a Gr 3 by over six lengths.
In the fifth over 2000m Donna Mo is consistent and will appreciate the step up to this trip. Quiet Rebellion has a plum draw and is 2,5kg better off with Donna Mo for a 4,15 length beating over 1600m last month, although the latter would have improved since then being a three-year-old. However, Quiet Rebellion will relish the step up in trip and should have come on from that last run. I Am Regal beat Donna Mo by 1,90 lengths last time but is 2kg worse off and has a tougher draw. However, she sat at the back that day and won going away so it would be no surprise if she beat her again.
In the sixth over 2000m Crimson Forest is drawn in pole and if repeating either of her last two starts, i.e. 3,10 lengths behind Frances Ethel in the Listed Ormond Ferraris Oaks Trial and then a four length fourth to Rosy Leemon over 1800m, then she will be the one to beat. Ideal Future is a long-striding sort who is capable of a resolute finish and this 4kg claimer did well on her over 2600m last time. She should be as effective over this trip and can be dropped out from a wide draw. Gilda Gray has run well over this trip before and is competitively merit rated but does have a tricky draw. Pretty N’ Pearls shouldn’t be far off on formlines. Kakiebos was not disgraced when stepped up to 1800m last time and the form has been franked so she can improve again over this trip.
In the seventh over 1600m Fostinovo has dropped down from an 89 to an 84 and this trip might be what she has been looking for so she can do well from draw two in just her second attempt at it. Golden Pavilion should be distance suited to and if able to overcome a wide draw can be in the mix. Romeo’s Magic has dropped to a competitive mark and in form Raymond Danielson is up from a fair draw.
Viva De Janiero was expected to win last time in a workriders race, but it did not pan out too well and he was overtaken late. The form has been franked and a chance is taken on bankering him despite a tricky draw of seven. Hakas Krakas likes to lead and if doing so can stay on. JP Two Thousand is running off a competitive mark and has a plum draw. Kashkaval has a tough draw but is in fair form and Piere Strydom is up. Thambi won well on Saturday over 1800m and from a plum draw here has to be considered.
