Pressonregardless is progressive and can defy the handicapper again (JC Photos)
The Vaal stages an eight race meeting down the straight and the highest rated race is the seventh, a MR 100 handicap over 1400m.
The outside rail is in by seven metres, which makes it difficult to predict if there will be any draw bias and the inside draws might not be favourable, which they do tend to be when the outside rail is in by 14m as it was last week.
In the main race Pressonregardless won full of running last time and this progressive Lancaster Bomber gelding can overcome a five point raise and make it a hattrick over a suitable trip under the same jockey who rode him to win his last two starts, Craig Zackey. Richard The First comes off a win over 1450m and looks comfortable over this trip now and is also one point lower in the merit ratings than the highest mark he has won off so should go close. Teagan’s Champ is unbeaten in three starts but comes back from a layoff of a year and eight months. His big 63kg weight is alleviated to some extent by in-form 4kg claimer Girish Samo-Burthia being aboard. Potberrie ran a nice second last time but before that was beaten 5,25 lengths by Pressonregardless and is only 3kg better off. Master Christmas won over this course and distance in his penultiate start and might appreciate coming back down to this trip after finishing fifth over 1600m off a four point higher mark.
In the first leg of the Pick 6 Vamanos went close last time over 1450m and before that was third behind two decent sorts over 1160m, so she should enjoy this 1200m trip. Quiet Winter has shown ability and should have come on from her last run which followed a layoff. Tipperary disappointed last time but on her best form can earn here. Lost For Words was a well beaten second last time, but beat Quiet Winter by 2,20 lengths and she is capable of improvement. Made To Measure is by Fire Away out of a Dynasty mare and is a half-sister to SA Oaks winner None Other.
In the second leg of the P6 over 1200m Monkey Puzzle is knocking on the door and should get it right here in his third run on the Highveld, especially considering the form of both of his second place finished have been franked. African Prie was not disgraced in the Gr 1 Gold Medallion second time out and should be right there a he is obviously well regarded. Jabari Thimba has run two good races and the form has been franked so he should be in the shake-up. Arizona Magic made a decent debut and the form has been frnked and he could improve. Elusive Red is by Elusive Fort out of a three time-winning What A Winter mare and Muzi Yeni is an interesting booking.
In the fifth race over 1500m Winds Of Grace is knocking on the door and has a fine opportunity to go one better this time with a 4kg claimer up. Frangipani went close last time over 1700m but is also effective over this trip. Red Secret made a good debut and should relish the step up in trip being by Erik The Red and a half-sister to the useful William Longsword filly Willy Meet Again. Hazy Dazy made a fair debut but returns from a layoff of close to five months. Festival Of Light is by Gold Standard out of a twice-winning Dynasty mare.
In the sixth over 1000m Paradise Way ran well second time out and has a good chance receiving 3,5kg from Alpine Jet and she has a 4kg claimer aboard too. Tuscan Romance won easily second time out on the Highveld and the 79 merit rating looks reasonable but she does return from a layoff of more than three months. Alpine Jet won easily second time out on the Highveld and should be a strong contender here too. Miss Munroe had some good maiden form before winning last time and, off a reasonable merit rating, she also has a chance. On The Run could do better stepping back to the trip of her easy maiden win.
In the eighth over 1400m Mamlambo won easily second time out and off a reasonable merit rating should make a bold bid to follow up, although she returns from four month layoff. Royal Horizon goes for a hattrick but does have a five point raise to overcome. Littlemisssplendid has some good consistent form and should be a contender.
In the first race over 1500m Bellerophon has Sam Mosia up and looks impossible to oppose in this workrider’s maiden. The first-timer Equilateral could be the main danger and this Master Of My Fate colt’s market upport should be watched, although it a first race ride for workrider Taegen Demont.
In the second race over 1200m Duchess Of Palaoma is a contender here on some good Cape Town form and is probably the one to beat. Iconic Winter has been knocking on the door and could get it right here over a suitable trip. Magic Carpet Ride made a good debut and comes back from a layoff over a suitable trip.
