Written In Stone, whose win last time out ended a 1426 day drought, is tipped to follow up on his win last time with Louis Nhlapo having got the best out of him and staying aboard (JC Photos)
The Vaal straight course meeting tomorrow (Thursday) should see high draws being favoured in all races except for the fourth race over 2000m, which is the only race around the turn.
There are two interesting runners first-timers in the first race. The Mike de Kock-trained Wilgerbosdrift and Mauritzfontein-bred Fire Away filly Fireburst, who is by Fire Away out of De Kock’s Gr 1 Allan Robertson and Gr 1 SA Fillies Sprint winner Rat Burana. That makes this filly a half-sister to the Gr 2 SA Fillies Nursery winner Maharanee and to the Gr 3 Poinsettia Stakes winner Marigold Hotel. A further boost is that she has a high draw of eight in the 1200m race and in form Gavin Lerena is up. The Lucky Houdalakis-trained Lancaster Bomber filly Shadow Of The Moon is a half-sister to the Gr 1 Cape Flying Championship winner Dyce. The horse to beat on form is Hey Hey Julia , who has some fair form over 1000m and now tries a step up to 1200m. She is by Canford Cliffs out of a Querari maiden who only once ran beyond 1000m, but she is a a half-sister to the Vercingetorix filly Lady Luck, who won over 1400m this week.
In the second race over 1200m One And All enjoyed the step back down to 1160m last time and could be in the shake up here with a repeat of that second place finish. In his earlier sprint he faced Cosmic Speed and was not disgraced with an eight length fifth. He is drawn on the right side. Pursuit Of Fame has become hard knocking since blinkers were fitted and gets a fair opportunity here from a high draw with Gavin Lerena up. Captain Clever was well beaten on debut but finished third to a horse who was subsequently disqualified and is not without a chance if low draws turn out to be not too disadvantageous. Takyourbestshot ran a fair third last time but has a tough number one draw by trends. Solar Sail returns from a layoff and has the standside draw and looks capable of improvement.
In the third race over 1600m Captain Jim has been ultra consistent since headgear has been applied and is distance suited and has a draw towards the right side of six out of ten, so with Lerena up for the Fabian Habib yard he should have a fine chance in this line up. Red Legend has some useful form and is distance suited but the draw of four out of ten might be a bit tricky. Roll Of The Dice is moderate but from a high draw is not without a chance in this line up if producing his best.
In the fourth over 2000m Millahue has talent over middle distances and so was most disappointing on Saturday on the Turffontein Inside track when a 7,65 length eighth of ninth over 1800m. However, he will appreciate the extra 200m and will relish being on a course with a long straight so can do well from pole position, being just 0,5kg under sufferance with the best weighted. Strewn Sky has run well in all three post maiden runs and is distance suited and has a fair draw of five out of nine with in form Khumalo up, but he is 1,5kg undr sufferance with the best weighted. Thunee Player is proven over this trip and is in good form, but does have to overcome draw eight and is 1,5kg under sufferance with the best weighted. Imperial Master is officially the best weighted runner and has been in fine form since blinkers were applied and has a shout from draw three, despite now being a seven-year-old. Flying Bull has his second run after a layoff and if he produces his best he could be a player from a good draw under Gavin Lerena.
In the fifth over 1500m Cartanega is improving and caught the eye with her maiden win when running on well. She has caught the eye before that too and starts off handicapping off an attractive mark of 61 and is drawn on the standside. Calida improved without blinkers last time and could be involved. Risky Business goes for a hattrick but does have to overcome a five point raise. Zoombomber has the form and ability to be a contender. Perini Palace won her maiden well and is drawn on the right side.
In the sixth over 1500m Boom Boom is on the up and off a four point higher mark for her last win is drawn on the right side and has in form S’Manga Khumalo up. Deception Pass is progressive and won easily on the KZN poly last time and from a high draw off a reasonable 78 merit rating can go close. Shinto Shrine should narrowly beat Deception Pass based on their last clash and he has a fair draw of nine. Rock Of Bismantova is in fine form and can’t be ignored. Nordic Rebel is eleven years old but still going strong and should go well for Gavin Lerena again from a high draw.
In the seventh over 1100m Secret Chord is in fine form and should enjoy this trip and has a nice high draw. Nkandla Gold has plenty of speed and ability and should be in the shake up if able to overcome a potentially tricky low draw. Vegas Hi Rise is in good form and is distance suited and has a fair draw. Kashkaval returns from a layoff but is in fine form and over this trip could do well fresh but a low draw is a concern. The Navy Lark has a lot of speed and will be setting the fractions from a high draw, but can she hold on over 100m further than her optimum 1000m trip.
In the eighth over 1100m Wriiten In Stone has always had a lot of ability and showed it last time despite being a nine-year-old so he could follow up under the same rider from a plum high draw. Twice As Wild, Red Carpet Girl and Ashanti Sword have to be considered. For wider Jet Cat from a standside draw could be worth including despite also now being a nine year old.
