Rulership is the selection to win the day’s headliner (JC Photos)
The Vaal straight course has an eight race meeting and high draws should be favourable with the outside rail at zero.
The first six races are maiden plates and the headliner is a Pinnacle Stakes event over 1000m.
In the Pinnacle stakes race Rulership is only half-a-kilogram under sufferance with the best weighted Sheldon and has a nice high draw over an ideal trip, although with just six runners going to post the draws should not ne overly sifnificant. Rulership has been doing well on the Highveld and goes well for Calvin Habib, who has won on him three times including once over course and distance. Mover And Shaker, who is only 1kg under sufferance with the best weighted, has a lot of pace and will be suited to the prevailing fast winter conditions over the minimum trip. He can get over to the favourable standside by using his early pace. Captain Hindsight is in hard knocking form and should be right there. Sheldon has the ability to win this and is drawn on the standside rail. He should be cherry ripe in his third run after a layoff. He did travel down to Durban for his last run, but on the bright side he is the best weighted runner. Tjaikovsky and Smith And Wesson are way out at the weights and can’t be fancied.
In the first race over 1100m Vulcanite was drawn seven out of eight around the turn over 1000m at Turffontein Inside on debut and stayed on well for a 1,70 length third after showing fair pace. She now has the number one draw which might make it tough, but with expected improvement she could still win. Take Your Place looks the form danger and also has a low draw. Summer Winter has a chance with expected improvement as she showed some pace on debut and it was a decent field so she was not disgraced. Mother City should appreciate the step back to this trip according to her form profile. Quasikat is by Quasillo and is a half-sister to two horses who won first time out and second time out respectively.
In the second over 1100m Blaze A Way made a good debut and with expected improvement is the one to beat from a nice high draw. Ombudsman might enjoy the step back in trip and has the form to threaten but does have a tricky number one draw. Antonio Gaudi enjoyed the step down to 1000m last time and only has 1,75 lengths to make up on Blaze A Way. Varjury has a much easier task than last time and the betting should be monitored. Howzit Boet could earn a cheque at best.
The third over 1400m could see the hard knocking Panning Gold running on well and going close. Sutherland has good form but returns from a layoff of six months. Pressonregardless is knocking hard but has a tricky number one draw. Storm Ahead is well drawn and has a chance if repeating his last run when just a quarter of a length behind Pressonregardless. Confederate is a Fire Away half brother to a three time winner.
In the fourth over 1400m Let’s Play Poker looks cherry ripe to strike over a step up in trip which should suit and has a nice high draw. Pike Place has a good chance too from a high draw. Breath Of Magic is capable of placing again here. Mohave man could earn a cheque. Cliffie Clavin is by Canford Cliffs out of a King Of Kings mare who won twice in Cape Town from 1600m to 2000m in just eight starts including by 6,25 lengths over 2000m.
In the fifth over 2000m Master Tik Tok has been knocking on the door under Muzi Yeni and is distance suited but does have a tricky draw. Oranjemund enjoyed the step up to this trip in his second start and should improve again over another step up. Douglas Dragon beat both of the first two mentioned last time and is drawn in pole. Manz Knight has the ability to be involved in the finish but this is his second run after a long layoff. Royal Albert improved when stepped up to 1800m and is drawn well.
In the sixth over 2000m City Lights is knocking on the door and has a plum draw over a trip which should suit on pedigree. Butternutenrooiwyn improved since being stepped up in trip and caught the eye travelling well over 1800m last time but looks held by City Lights. Perform goes well for Craig Zackey and should be staying on. Party Punch did well over 1700m last time and might enjoy this further step up in trip. Incredible Indriani is tough to ignore over a trip which she has tried twice before and looks capable of improving over.
In the eighth over 1600m Captain Of Grit goes for a tenth successive finish in the frame and is distance suited and drawn on the right side. Elembee was unlucky the last time she tried this trip and has a fair draw. Open Highway has a form winning chance from a middle barrier position.
