Moola Man winning over course and distance in early July (JC Photos)
The Vaaal straight course meeting should see high draws being favourable in the five races down the straight, although there are three races around the turn over 1700m and in those races, races 4, 5 and 6, low draws will be favourable. However, it must be kept in mind that Muzi Yeni won a race down the straight with this course set up at the last Vaal meeting when sticking to the inside rail, so that might throw a spanner in the works.
The highest rated race is the 6th race, a MR 84 Handicap over 1700m, and Moola Man is made the best bet at the meeting and also a P6 banker, although it must be said there would be more confidence if he was drawn better than seven out of eleven. Wider draws can sometimes be an advantage on this course if cover can be found in a one wide position because those hold up horses drawn low have to depend on a decent pace being set otherwise they can be trapped on the rail and cramped until the spur is reached at the 600m mark. However, the reason Moola Man is taken as a banker is because he is a progressive sort whose best performance was over this course and distance and he will relish this step back in trip. The Lancaster Bomber four-year-old gelding is out of a West Man mare and his pedigree suggested there would be concerns of him not staying 2000m last time out. Those concerns proved to be valid as he did not find extra late. The chief danger to Moola Man could be the in form Royal Edition. He won over 2000m last time, but is now only 1kg better off with Moola Man for a two length beating by the latter over this trip back in July. Eiffel Tower showed some class early in his career and is 2kg better off for a 1,75 length beating by Moola Man over 1600m, so he is also right in it. His St. John Gray-trained stablemate Eiger Sanction is in terrific form and comes off a hattrick from 1800m to 2000m, but the handicapper hit him with a five point raise after his last win. Total Surrender has to be respected too, considering he beat Moola Man when they last met over 1600m and now faces him on just half-a-kilogram worse off terms and in fact, taking weight for age into account, he faces him on the same terms. Total Surrender is a five-year-old though and perhaps not as progressive as Moola Man.
In the first leg of the Pick 6 over 1100m Kings Again won well on debut and the form has been franked and she has the highest draw of all off a reasonable 85 merit rating. So Seductive is drawn one from the outside and is in fair form. This is her third run of the season, so she might have come on from her last outing over 1200m at Turffontein Inside in which she was staying on for third to promising stablemate Chasing Happiness. Global Thunder is in fine form and can’t be ignored. Stars and Bra’s has shown hints of ability, but does have the low draw of one. Godspeed went close with Gavin Lerena up in her penultimate start over 1400m and he gets back on board over a trip she went close over three runs ago. The only other runner, Royal Horizon, is not out of it.
In the second leg of the Pick 6 over 1700m Ancient Wisdom should be improving being by Ideal World and will also enjoy the step up in trip. She also has a good draw, so is taken to win it despite the formlines pointing to Glamorous Lady as the one to beat. Glamorous Lady is knocking on the door and Muzi Yeni stays aboard, but she does have a wide draw to overcome. Plum Blossom, Ambitious Lady and Emperor Wu are also worth considering for the Pick 6.
In the fifth race over 1700m Guerilla Warfare represents an in form yard and should enjoy the trip under a 2,5kg claimer from a middle draw in the small field. American Biscuit has been consistent over this trip category and has a 4kg claimer up albeit from a tricky draw. Vava Vegas won the only time he tried as far as 1600m, so he is interesting here over 1700m.
In the seventh over 1400m Dark Tide has not been far off lately over 1200m and might enjoy 1400m from a nice high draw as he did win over 1600m early in his career and has been staying on lately. Calida is drawn on the right side and if repeating his last start he can go close. Tried And True ran well on her yard debut in KZN over 1400m on the Hollywoodbets Greyville poly and in fact beat Dark Tide by 2,35 lengths, so she could be in the shake up from a middle draw. Northern Kitten is drawn towards the right side and that might bring her into the places. Written In Stone would be fancied if better drawn, but on the other hand a race was won at the last meeting with this same course set up when the rider decided to stay on the inside rail, so that makes him an interesting runner under the jockey who has been getting on so well with him, Louis Nhlapo.
In the last race over 1200m Alone Time won from start to finish when having a favourable draw in the maidens and he has a favourable draw here. His Lordsip looks promsising and won when unfavourably drawn last time and will have to do so again from a low draw. Captain Efficient has the form to be a contender here although he will have to overcome a low draw. King Of Numbers can earn if repeating his best performance.Coming In Hot can’t be ignored from a high draw.
In the first leg of the Bipot Sonic Jet, Miss Lia and Cat O’ Clock should fight it out.
In the first leg of the PA Green Sapphire and Pursuit Of Fame could get punters through.
