Munchkin could win the last race (JC Photos)
The Vaal Classic course has an eight race meeting today and it should provide some opportunities for on the nose and exotic punters.
In the first race, a workriders maiden over 1500m, the Paul Peter yard send out Ambitous Lady, a Pathfork filly who has run one fifth in four starts for a previous yard in KZN, but she has always been close up. Considering the record the Peter yard have first time out with horses from other yards she must have a good chance in this uninspiring field despite having not raced since December. Sacambaya ran a good race at Hollywoodbets Scottsville last time and had some fair form in Cape Town too, but her Highveld form in three starts has not been close to those performances. However, if she can reproduce that last run in KZN she should go close under experienced Chamu Mabaya, despite jumping from the widest draw of all. Pomo Clapper ran a cracker over 1700m in her penultimate start. She might well enjoy the step down in trip after disappointing last time, considering she fought the rider in that good penultimate start. She is drawn in pole and could be dangerous. Oklahoma Twister is a couple of lengths behind Pomo Clapper on collateral formlines and is not out of it under the handicap conditions. Summer Shade is not out of it at the weights either.
In the second race over 1200m There A Light has a fair draw and the last time he went over this trip he was far from disgraced in a 4,20 length second to the subsequent Gr 3 winner Mid Winter Wind. However, he does have to carry topweight. Together Again has run two fair places in her last two starts and is distance suited, so, carrying 52,5kg, should be right there. Someday Maybe has good enough form over this trip to stand a chance carrying 54kg plus the half-a-kilogram overweight of top jockey S’Manga Khumalo. The Navy Lark was just a quarter of a length behind Together Again over this trip last time but is 1,5kg worse off and has another wide draw. Sovereigns Call ran an improved race when dropped to this trip last time and carries only 56kg.
In the third race over 1800m In A Blue Moon has been threatening a win and gets a good opportunity here over what should be an ideal trip against an uninpsiring field. He has a fair draw of four out of eleven, but he has to carry second top weight. Perform has a chance on form carrying just 54,5kg with a 4kg claimer up, but she does have to overcome a tough draw. Main Mission has a tough draw and has to carry topweight and also comes off a well below par effort following a layoff. He should have come on from that run though. Incredible Indrani is drawn in pole and carrying just 56,5kg has a chance having run well in first time cheekpieces last time. Master Tik Tok ran a cracker on Saturday and carries only 58kg. The blinkers were taken off for that last run and might stay off.
In the fourth over 1800m Viva de Janiero is capable of better than last time and as a full brother to the useful Viva Brazil, who has won twice over 2000m, he should relish the step up in trip and has a fair draw. Ideal Future is a long-striding sort who will enjoy the course and distance from a good draw. Full Go has been in good form since dropped to a 56 merit rating and looks capable of being involved with a further drop to 55.
In the fifth over 1600m Sparkling Jubilee should be fit enough returning from a layoff coming from the De Kock yard and has a form chance from pole position. Can’t Catch Me disappointed last time but will enjoy the step back in trip and has a fair draw with a 4kg claimer up. Count Your Chances ran quite well for fourth after a win and can be in the shake up again. Kittyboy’s Girl is 1,5kg better off with Count Your Chances for a 0,60 length beating but has a wide draw. Secret Recipe is well drawn and beat Count Your Chances by two lengths last time and is only half-a-kilogram worse off.
In the sixth over 1450m Gimme The Flame won well the last time she ran over this course and distance and although seven points higher she now has a better draw. Putins Promise is drawn in pole and has dropped to a competitive mark so can be involved over a suitable trip for an in form yard. Written In Stone retains talent despite his age and has a fair opportunity here with the same 4kg claimer who extracted a strong finish from him last time over the same trip. Southern Style reverts to the course and distance of her best recent run and has a good draw. Feeling Groovy looks capable of placing off this mark.
In the seventh over 1200m Empress Game was unlucky last week and is knocking on the door. Khumalo stays aboard over the same trip from a plum draw. Golden Aspen is course and distance suited and drawn in pole. Dakota Cat can bounce back dropped to a competitive mark. Fennec Fox is also off a competitive mark. Lady Elliot could be involved off a mark reduced a further two points if able to overcome a wide draw.
In the last race over 1000m Munchkin has always been well regarded and looks to have come into his own. Dark Tide can be in the shake up if reproducing his fair fourth last time. Della’s Sword, Van Meijel and Knockemstiff make most appeal of the rest.
