I Am Regal (closest) gets up to dead-heat with Sneak Preview over 2000m at The Vaal last September (JC Photos).
The highest rated race at the Vaal Classic meeting on Thursday is the eighth, a MR 85 handicap for fillies and mares over 2000m, and it could be won by I Am Regal.
I Am Regal has run over this trip a few times before and has won one of them and never been far off in the others. She has dropped to a mark of 78, which is three points lower than her highest winning mark, which was over 1800 in October last year. The last time she ran over a midddle distance she was just 4,30 lengths behind DoItWithdiamonds and that is no disgrace as the latter has won four times this season. I Am Regal jumps from a fair draw of four and will be ridden by the ever improving Malesela Katjedi. Dimako’s Jet is a consistent sort who should make a bold bid over an ideal trip with Gavin Lerena up, but on her last meeting with I Am Regal she is a whopping 6kg worse off for a mere 2,50 length beating. Key Worker is in fair form and could earn if able to overcome a wide draw. Avoontoast is well drawn over a suitable trip and Piere Strydom will give her every chance. She has to overcome a seven point raise, but is only 6kg worse off with I Am Regal for a 5,50 length beating on their last meeting, although that was over 1800m and I Am Regal has beaten her over this trip before. One Religion can do better than her last start, so can’t be ignored.
In the first leg of the Pick 6 over 1000m Summer Winter was beaten 0.3 lengths by Eight Hats last time out and the latter came out and beat a fair field next time out, so she is the one to beat. Sunset Warrior has run two good races but looks held by Summer Winter on formlines. Ringho has always been thereabouts and could earn again.
In the fifth race over 1600m Chieftan’s Shield is an improved sort who was first accross the line last time but lost it on an objection. He usually finds a good finish and he has a good draw over a suitable trip and has the eyecatching booking of Craig Zackey. Brigham has improved with blinkers and should be involved if able to produce his best over a step down in trip which should suit as the 2000m might have just been a touch far last time. Phil The Fluter is knocking on the door and will also be a big runner. Miss Takes has shown some fair form and can earn from a good draw. Molotov Cocktail ran in blinkers on debut which does not usually augur well but he was a close up fifth and should be in the shake up with Gavin Lerena up, albeit from a tricky draw.
In the sixth over 2000m Alakanani has improved since the headgear has been removed and if producing his last run could be the one to beat. Gamer has become more relaxed and has thus become consistent and over this suitable trip with Gavin Lerena up he should be right there. Blurred Vision won well when stepped up to this trip last time and despite a six point higher mark might be able to be involved again from a good draw. The Merciful was not disgraced last time over this trip and could earn from a plum draw with a 2.5kg claimer up. Bob Lee Swagger won well over this trip when cheekpieces were changed to blinkers and he could be in the shake up again off a four point higher mark, although he does have a tricky draw again.
In the seventh over 2000m Wagram ran well first time out the Maidens over 1600 metres and on pedigree should enjoy this trip, but does have a tricky draw to overcome. Ideal Future is a consistent, long-striding sort who is capable of running on well and she goes well for this 4kg claimer. Rosy Lemon is a capable sort who will enjoy the step back down to the trip and Khumalo could get the best out of her. Kiss Of Fire will enjoy the step back to this trip, but this is her second run after a long lay off. Red Sparrow won a workriders maiden by 10,50 lengths last time so her 73 merit rating is reasonable.
In the ninth over 1500m Calida is a consistent sort and from pole position over an ideal trip is the one to beat under Gavin Lerena. Libeccio is not the most consistent, but he is capable and is off an attractive merit rating over a suitable trip, but he does have a wide draw. Kotinos has a wide draw, but is a capable sort and Piere Strydom will help his cause. Written In Stone is an evergreen sort who can always be relied on to run a good race even from wide draws like this one. After Hours is drawn well over a suitable trip and still well handicapped on his best form.
In the first leg of the Bipot over 1600m Chronicle King looks one of the best bets on the card from pole position with Lerena up.
In the first leg of the PA Matcha Mint looks the one to beat despite a tricky draw, but Witching Hour could be dangerous after a good debut and with Lerena up from a good draw.
In the first race over 1000m Hurricane Power is by Vercingetorix and is a three-parts sister to Ablaan, who won both of bis first two starts, so she is an interesting newcomer, although the draw of one might be tricky and Empress Wu and Bilingual could challenge her.
In the last race over 1000m One Party and Sylvan Warrior make most appeal.
