Fully Loaded is led in by a big entourage. (JC Photos)
The seven race meeting at the Vaal today is the last SA meeting of the year and offers an opportunity to end 2024 on a high.
The outside rail is at zero so high draws should be advantageous, although recently horses going to the far side rail from low draws have been doing just as well.
The highest rated race of the day is a MR 96 Handicap over 1400m and it could see the Fabian Habib-trained Fully Loaded going close. Headgear was dispensed with last time and he was beaten just 4,60 lengths into fifth by Radicchio with Pomodoro’s Jet just 3,55 lengths in front of him in third. The latter went on to easily win the Grand Heritage over that same course and distance and Radicchio, who was 3,5kg worse off with Pomodoro’s Jet from their previous meeting, was a decent fifth. Fully Loaded has a plum draw by trends of nine out of nine and Kabelo Matsunyane takes over from Malesela Katjedi. Wyzeact could bounce back after being well beaten in that same Middle Stakes event over 1475m and he was also well beaten in the WSB Heritage Consolation. He was just 3,65 lengths behind Fully Loaded in the former race, but he is now 1,5kg worse off. However, he can be involved if producing his best. Biofarmer has 2,45 lengths to make up on Wyzeact from their last meeting, but is only 1,5kg better off. However, he does have Strydom up and has a high draw, so could be involved. Bob’s Your Uncle should be effective over this course and distance from a decent looking draw. Paisley Park has dropped to a competitive mark and could be thereabouts, although he has the tricky number one draw. George Handel has some class and returns from a seven month layoff over a trip sharper than his optimum. Zanthar has useful form, although it shows him to perhaps prefer shorter and he is officially 2kg under sufferance.
That race forms the first leg of the Pick 6 and in the next leg over 1800m Rani Of Kittur could be the one to beat after making a good comeback after a four month layoff. He has a plum draw of two and Gavin Lerena is now up. Flamboyamt Flyer has enjoyed the step up to middle distances and goes for a hattrick, although he has to overcome a six point raise. Elembee ran a cracker in the Listed War Of Athena Handicap over this trip on Saturday and if taking her place could be in the shake up. Avoontoast is distance suited and is always thereabouts.
In the fifth over 1800m Sneak Preview has a tricky draw over an ideal trip, but represents an in form combination and is in good form herself. Have A Party is in consistent form and is well drawn over a suitable trip. Mary Read is also in good form and does not have a lot to find on Sneak Preview on their last meeting over this trip. Arctic Vixen gets a reasonable merit rating after an easy win in a workriders maiden and is drawn in pole over an ideal trip. Lady Sabrina could also feature fist time out the maidens.
In the sixth over 1200m Francilien is the class package in the field and from a nice high draw of six can carry 62kg to victory. Blizzard Snow has been given three points relief after a fifth and a fourth out of the maidens and she is now drawn on the right side with Lerena up. Take Your Place is in hard knocking form and also has a nice high draw.
In the seventh over 1200m Prince Of Kildare is the one to beat if able to overcome topweight and a low draw as he comes from strong formlines. Written In Stone has a shout if able to overcome a low draw. Prized Platinum is off a competitive mark and his last run can be ignored after an awkward start and he is drawn on the right side. Captain Efficient has a high draw and he is not only always thereabouts but a one point drop takes him to his lowest mark out of the maidens. Mariachi Madness can be involved if repeating his last start and he has a high draw. Inafix can never be ignored.
In the first race over 1400m Warning Sound has run two good races and should still be improving, so is the one to beat.
In the second over 1000m Endizayo will enjoy the step back in trip and can fight it out with Tiger Storm.
