Chasing Happiness has been tipped to win the 6th race (JCPhotos)
The main race at the Vaal meeting today (Thursday) is a high class Pinnacle Stakes event over 1200m in which the merit ratings range from 124 to107.
The false rail report does not mention any rail structure down the straight so presumably that means the outside rail will be at zero metres and, if so, it will favour horses drawn high. However, the course layout should be checked on the day because it can change and another important factor is which side the stalls are positioned on, so tipping the meeting with the prediction of a draw bias can sometimes backfire.
In the Pinnacle event Chasing Happiness represents the in form yard of Johan Janse van Vuuren and is the second best in at the weights and has a nice high draw with Muzi Yeni up. She is only half-a-kilogram under sufferance with the best-weighted Minogue. She has good pace and is able to kick off it, so could be the one to beat. Minogue has good Highveld sprint form and can bounce back from her Gr 1 wfa Mercury Sprint run, when beaten 7,65 lengths. She has a middle draw of four in the seven horse field and should make a bold bid under in-form Serino Moodley. Lucky Lad is top class, but has not run since finishing a 1,90 length fifth in the Gr 1 wfa Computaform Sprint, where he had a difficult low draw of two. He has draw three here and if at his best will mow the field down with his devastating finish after hitting his usual flat spot when the others are beginning their runs. He has to be included. Pistol Pete is capable of a top class performance too, although he is officially 0,5kg under sufferance with Lucky Lad and 2kg under sufferance with Minogue and he has the potentially unfavourable low draw of one. Ready To Charge could earn a cheque if producing his best.
The seventh is a MR98 Handicap over 1200m and topweight Francine is an interesting runner from a high draw. Two of her three career wins have been over this course and distance and she went close the only previous time Raymond Danielson rode her. The concern is she is a touch high in the handicap as her last win was off a 94 and she is now rated 100, but the return to this course and distance gives her a chance of defying the handicapper. Francilien made a fine comeback from a layoff to go close over 1200m at Turffontein Inside last time. She now has her second run after a six month layoff and she has landed draw one, but if able to repeat that effort she should go close. Valieva is in fine form with two wins in her last three starts and she is capable of earning again from draw four, but she does have to overcome an eight point raise for her 3,50 length win last time. Komati River could be a runner in this line-up if producing her best as she has a 4kg claimer up, meaning she is actually 6.5kg better off with Francilien for a 4,50 length beating. Bosum Buddy was found to be coughing after her disappointing last start, but if able to produce her best from a high draw she will be right there.
The fifth race is a Novice Handicap over 1400m. Echo Check by Master Of My Fate won easily on debut and over a suitable step-up in trip from a nice high draw and with Khumalo keeping the ride he can do well despite a 92-merit rating. Palace Attack won well in the maidens over this trip after some fair performances before that and he has a nice high draw and gets 2,5kg from Echo Check . Shinto Shrine went close last time over 1450 metres and if repeating that effort should be in the shake-up, but his low draw might be a concern. Page Boy has been disappointing but is a lot better than his last three starts and could bounce back over this drop in trip. Clairwood Rose has fine form in the two starts in which she was not up against top class opposition, so she should make her presence felt here from a fair draw.
In the first leg of the Pick 6 over 1700m Frangipani has improved in two runs in the Robin Klaasen Yard and could be the one to beat here from pole position over an ideal trip. Ethical is always thereabouts, and over a suitable course and distance is a big runner, but she does have a tough draw. Nkwenkwezi disappointed in her last two starts, but if bouncing back to her hard-knocking ways, she should be a big runner in this uninspiring field. Sassy Lassie could get a place in this line-up. Blood Of Eden showed signs of improvement last time when stepped up to 1600m.
In the second leg of the Pick 6 over 1700m My Lucky Charm ran a good race on debut and could go one better from a fair draw. He is out of a Seventh Rock mare whose wins were up to 1400m, but his sire Master Of My Fate could provide him with the necessary stamina to see out this trip. Trip To Peace has run some fair races and is capable of earning. All On Red looks capable of improving and has a good draw. Majalun improved in third time blinkers and can earn with a repeat. Cuzzie looks capable of earning.
In the last race over 1200m Versace Onthetrack goes for a hattrick. She looks capable of doing it despite a 91 merit rating as she does have a nice high draw and is not facing an inspiring field. Malibu made a fine debut and was not disgraced when beaten five lengths by One Fine Winter second time out, but she is returning from a five-month layoff and has a potentially tough low draw. Red Amber has been knocking on the door and is capable of being in the shake-up here. Blindfire ran well last time out and if able to step up to the 1200m trip she could be a runner here. Misty Metal looks capable of earning here after being raised four points for a win last time.
In the first race over 1200m the first-timers could dominate with not much form to go on. MME Huntress is by Vercingetorix out of a Dynasty mare, who is out of dual Group One Winner Happy Archer. Villarica is by Vercingetorix and is a half-sister to the like of Pacaya and Silver Hills. Red Secret is by Eric The Red, and is a half-brother to the promising four-time winner Willie Meet Again.
In the second race over 1200m Miami Mountain made a good debut after being backed and can make amends. Trajanus is knocking on the door and could get it right third time out from a nice high draw. Wayne is by Vercingetorix out of a Tiger Ridge mare and is a three-parts brother to Moraine, who won two of her first three starts, but he does have a low draw. Red Sunrise is by Eric The Red, out of a Trippi mare, and is a half-brother to a couple of winners, but he also has a low draw. Gold Platina improved second time out and could earn.
