White Hills comes out quite well on some formlines in the highest rated race at the Vaal meeting on Wednesday but with course being set up as it is her draw of seven out of ten might be tricky (JC Photos).
The Vaal straight course has an eight race meeting today and it is tricky because the low draws should be favourable with the outside rail in by 13 metres with a 13 metre spur at the 600m mark, but the form often points to higther draw horses.
The sixth race, a MR 80 Handicap for fillies and mares, is the highest rated race at the meeting. White Hills makes appeal as she was not beaten far by the useful Time Fo Orchids last time and is now 6,5kg better off with Law Of Success for a 2,25 length beating over this trip, but her draw of seven out of ten might be against her. Law Of Success is progressive and wasn’t disgraced in a Gr 3 last time out so should have a form chance, but she is drawn ten out of ten, which is likely going to be against her. In The Ether is capable of a strong finish, but it needs to pan out well for her. It might do so from what should be a favourable number one draw. Heirloom is a capable sort over this trip and could surprise from a middle draw. On Cue is a consistent sort who has a form chance here from draw five. Green Flash was only five lengths behind Dreamland last time and the latter followed up by winning a Listed race. She is 5,5kg better off with Law Of Success for a a 6,75 length beating in March and should have improved since then, being a three-year-old, but she has draw nine which might be a disadvantage. Happy Analia is drawn two and is capable of better than her last two runs.
In the first leg of the Pick 6 over 1400m the Alec laird-trained Mocha Frappe looks to be a decent sort in the making and would have needed his last start after a ten month layoff. In that previous start last May he had finished a close fast-finishing fourth over 1450m and was beaten less than half-a-length by White Pearl, who is merit rated 112 today. Mocha Frappe does have a tricky draw of 8 which is on the high side. Radiant Heat has some fair form over this trip and has the potentially favourable number one draw. Deception Pass has ability but took a strong hold last time when pulling himself to the front, before not surprisingly been run out of it late in a mediocre field. He will need to settle better. The Cane Train made a fair debut when beaten 12 lengths into third by the promising Legend Of Arthur. He should have improved for that run. Stablemate Trombettista could earn if producing his best.
In the second leg over 1400m Olivia’s Way makes plenty of appeal having run a cracker second time out over course and distance. He was drawn on the wrong side that day, but it did not stop her from running third. She now has another potentially tricky draw of 14 out of 18 but does have the advantage of 4kg claimer Trent Mayhew back aboard, although she is now up against older horses. Two-year-old Messalina ran a fair race against older horses last time over 1450m and now has a nice low draw of two. Ice Cap has the form to be involved here and is potentially drawn well in two. Like A Butterfly beat Ice Cap by over five lengths when they last met and could be involved if a draw of nine is not against her. Kylie’s Angel, Bilingual and Mother City are others worth considering.
In the third leg over 1500m Empress Game should enjoy the trip and has a form chance provided draw eleven is not against her. Higgledy Piggleday won her maiden well and from a low draw of three could make her presence felt over a suitable trip off an opening handicap mark of a reasonable 77. Northern Kitten was eight lengths behind Empress Game last time but looks capable of doing better and has a draw of five. Count Your Chances won well last time and sneaks into the handicap with the minimum weight after being raised just three points. Free In Seattle is a two-year-old who has been accorded an 83 merit rating after a win last time and she has a nice low draw.
In the seventh race over 1000m Duke Of Rock has always struck as being a decent sort and flattered to deceive when tried twice over further than sprints, so stepping down to 1000m for the first time since his close second on debut to the useful Slim Jannie might be what he has been looking for. Furthermore, he has a nice low draw. Kinshin Sha is a hard-knocking sort and has a 4kg claimer up so should make his presence felt from draw six out of eleven. Cityscape has run two fine races on the Highveld since Brett Crawford relocated her from Cape Town and from a low draw over a suitable trip will be a big runner, although it is never easy against the boys. Inafix could earn if repeating his last start, but he does have a high draw. Wings Of Nike is capable of better than recent and is drawn in pole.
In the last race over 1000m Pinatubo was backed on debut in a juvenile race and won quite well and the form has been franked, so off a mark here of 83 should be thereabouts. Golden Chandelier has been in good form in juvenile races and has a reasonable merit rating here of 88. Red Carpet Girl lost ground at the start last week and was an unlucky third, but she now has a high draw. Princess Lola is better than her last start but also has a high draw. Simply Magic could make her presence felt from draw one.
In the first race over 1200m Gorgeous Klein and Lead The Charge should fight it out.
In the second race over 1600m Andi’s Girl is distance suited and has a low draw and could beat Miss Hannigan.
