Vaal Sand Jottings - Thursday 03/10

As always, please put your comments, opinions, fancies on the daily thread... whenever it goes up.

Absolutely dismal card imo and gave up on the jottings after the 5th race, have to say I wish I had never started this week but they may be of help to someone on some horse I suppose so here they are... please remember, there was little enthusiasm going into this after a while...

RACE 1 - 1200 MAIDEN

1 DANGEROUS LIAISON - A Laird. Sand debut. Gelded while off for 40 weeks. Beaten fav in 4/5 runs. Breeding suggests a fair chance he will enjoy the surface and good chance if so doing but likely to be short in the market and costly to follow.

2 GOLDEN DOLLAR - A silver and 2 4ths in his 4 c runs with the 2nd coming in his only c/d run (Royal Stock 3.75l) behind. Has a tricky draw in 9 but if overcoming that then has a chance.

3 ROYAL STOCK - One silver in 9 c runs and no top 3s in 6 d runs. Usually fades. Looks held by GD and though puts in the occasional fair run and has some place potential in this field, looks unlikely to win.

4 OPERATION NEPTUNE - Not been within 12l of the winner in 9 career runs and in his 3 efforts on this c has been beaten 20.5l, 50l and 27l over 1600, 1800 and 1450. Drops in trip but rumour is that the jockey has packed in a mini-tv so he can watch the finish.

5 WAR PLANE - Not been within 9l of the winner in 8 career runs and in his 3 efforts on this c has been beaten 50l, 25l and 10.25l over 1600, 1450 and 1000, so at least he seems to be improving! Has the 2 draw here and MVR up but really should not win.

6 JUST A THOUGHT - SJG. Two very average runs on c and is seemingly not stable elect. Is on 3rd run after a rest and trainer form has steadily been improving but unlikely.

7 NORGAY - SJG/Lerena. Sand debut. Has the 1 box and seemingly the stable elct. Only run to date was a moderate turf performance but breeding suggests a chance he will take to the surface and quite likely he will be competitive if so doing.

8 GOOGLE IT - Tarry. Sand debut. Not within 8.35l of the winner in his three turf runs, 2nd run after a 17 week rest and nothing in the breeding to indicate he will love the surface. Trainer to be respected though and a decent draw in 3. Watching brief.

9 KING BULL - Magner. Sand debut. Not within 10.75l of the winner in his three turf runs (1000 and 2 x 1600) but breeding suggests there is a possibility he will take to the surface. Ok draw in 5 and maybe worth the R1 e/w option if a big price.

10 EUSEBIUS - Sand debut. Beaten 9l in only turf , Breeding suggests there is a possibility he will enjoy the sand but a tough draw in 10. Maybe worth the R1 e/w option if a huge price.

A couple of absolute no-hopers and a couple who could give a shock result. Dangerous Liaison likely to be all the rage but a somewhat risky proposition in my eyes and with the price likely to be very short I'll look elsewhere. Green Dollar would be a more attractive proposition if drawn better but, given that he is not, I'll go with Norgay from the improving SJG stable... NORGAY x GREEN DOLLAR x KING BULL


RACE 2 - 1200 H'CAP-88

1 TROUBLED WATERS - Tarry. Not seen on c for almost two years, not disgraced that day when 4th over 1600 in a fair field. On 2nd run after a 29 week rest and this could be on the short side for him, he has tried this d only once and was well beaten. All that said, trainer respected and can't be overlooked from the 4 box.

2 HANG FIRE - Good consistent form of late, 2nd on his last 3 attempts over c/d and not beaten over 3l in his last 5 runs. 4-3-5 in 19 c runs and 0-2-2 in 5 at c/d. Strydom back up and ok draw in 5, must be in with a good shout again.

3 IMPRESA - Woodruff. Sand debut. Last two runs disappointing but had a 16 week rest between. Trainer good on the surface but nothing in the breeding to indicate he will enjoy the surface and could just be a case of the trainer trying something different. Down in d and appie up with not the worst draw in 6. Not one that appeals to me strongly but that would change (in hindsight lol) if he does appreciate the sand.

4 MAGIC'S MAGIC - C debut. Only beaten more than 5l twice in his last 21 runs and not out of the top 3 in his last 5. One of those defeats was a 7l beating at Bingo but that was over 1600. Overall d record of 2-2-4 in 15 runs. Breeding suggests he can operate on the sand and that is supported by the Bingo run. In with a good shout from the 3 box with both trainer and jockey in fair recent form.

5 BARON ZEMO - Magner. Well drawn in 2 and an overall record of 3-1-0 in 9 c runs but drops to this d for the first time. For the "superstitious", he has a sequence since coming to the c of win, 2 defeats, win, 2 defeats etc... next in the sequence is win. Another who must have a chance, the drop in d being the only concern.

6 VULCAN - Kenny/Lerena. Sand debut. 1-3-0 in 5 d runs. Returns from a 16 week rest. Breeding suggests a good chance that he will enjoy the sand and is drawn 1. Blinkers go back on and not convinced they were a help last time they were tried but, if ready and taking to the surface then yet another with a chance.

7 GABRONZA - Azzie. 2 wins in his 4 c runs, all over 1000. Lasst two have been somewhat disappointing though and now with something to prove again but a return to form would see him go close if the extra d is not an issue.

Very open and tough to call with all having some sort of claim for success if things come together on the day. I am drawn most to Vulcan but I have a concern over the rest and the blinkers and those doubts have led to me possibly going the safer route with Hang Fire who has been running well of late and it would be a well deserved win if Striker can get him home. HANG FIRE x VULCAN x MAGIC'S MAGIC


RACE 3 - 1600 MAIDEN

1 AJUBA - Pettigrew/MVR. Had high on draws on both c appearances. Started with a decent 2.75l second to Banjo Bay over this d. Was 5.25l clear of the third and the winner and 4th won nto (4th was Tobe Turf Terror beaten 7.5l). But, was then disappointing when beaten 11.25l, fading over 1800 lto, finishing 4.75l behind The Bucket Boy whom he had beaten convincingly previously. Is 0-1-2 in 4 runs over this d so, if that last run is overlooked, then must have a lively chance with a much better draw in 2.

2 FORT DIXY - Beaten 7.75l on c debut over 1450 (2nd was Banjo B, 5.25l ahead) but improved lto when 2nd (3l behind Nad's Pride) over 1800 despite being drawn 13/13 (TBB 3.5l back and Ajuba 8.5l back) and 1st and 3rd both ran 2nd nto. Drop back in d is perhaps not ideal but drawn well in 3 and Lerena up, chance.

3 CHEVALIER - Matchett. One third in 3 c runs and though no closer than 6.25l of the winner in those runs, he has had two poor draws including the run over this d when getting the third place. With the 1 draw here and on 3rd run after a rest then there could well be improvement, not to be discounted.

4 PERFECT VISION - One bronze in 4 c runs and though not disgraced of late, has not inspired either and was 5.5l adrift of Nad's Pride lto over 1800. Returns from 17 weeks off. Unlikely but not impossible.

5 THE BUCKET BOY - One third in 5 c visits, with that 3rd coming in 9 d runs and in 2 over c/d. Appears well held and not one that interests me.

6 TEXAS TIGER - Beaten between 12l and 15.5l in his 4 c runs and steps up in trip here but, although Brown up on 3rd run after a 40 week rest, the new d seems unlikely to bring about a better result.

7 TAKE A BREAK - Well beaten in both turf runs and nothing in the breeding to suggest that there will be a sudden change in fortune brought about by the new surface. Drawn in 7 and will be surprised if he is involved at the finish, watching brief.

8 SHAVAR - Spies/Chambers. Much improved effort at Bingo on Monday when finishing well for a 3.5l second at this d. In 4 previous runs at Bingo and one here, had shown little but they were sprints and had shown up a little better in the last two. Although the form is not the strongest, if he progresses from Monday's run then assuming the price is big, it won't hurt to chance R1 e/w.

9 GILFILLAN - Well beaten in all 3 turf runs and nothing in the breeding to suggest that there will be a brilliant career ahead on the sand. Drawn in 4 but can be no more than a watching brief.

10 JUDGE THE STRIDE - Following two poor turf efforts, introduced to the sand lto in a WR event over 1450. Found betting support from 7s into 7/2 and was only beaten 0.5 by Tobe Turf Terror. That run followed a 17 week rest and assuming he comes on for that then likely to be a big runner. Trainer in excellent form, Khumalo up and drawn ok in 5.

Some conflicting form information which makes this something of a conundrum. The two obvious ones would seem to be Judge The Stride and, if overlooking the last run, Ajuba. Given their runs against Tobe Turf Terror then Ajuba would appear to be the right one but the trainer form had greatly improved by the time he ran against JTS and that one should be open to more improvement. In truth, I am tired of mulling over this one which indicates I have doubts about the market leaders but, though I certainly don't think others can be discounted, I don't see anything as good enough value to take on the front two in the betting. Likely to just have a small idiot on Shavar and would not be surprised with a complete shock but... JUDGE THE STRIDE x AJUBA x CHEVALIER


RACE 4 - 1800 H'CAP-72

1 MUTHIAH PILLAI - Naidoo. Very good silver here on Saturday when a running on 2.25l 2nd to Henry Higgins. All 3 career wins have been over this d, is drawn 4 here, trainer in good form and Khumalo up so should be a big runner here. The concerns are that he has been beaten 35l and 12.5l (Sugar Ray 8l ahead) when shouldering more than 60kgs in his two previous attempts to do so, though both those runs came off rests. Secondly, he seems not to have run well in two consecutive races here (now 0-1-1 in 6 c runs) and consistency yet to be fully proven for me. Could well be excuses for this but, for example, penultimate run behind Maori Blue was disappointing and came between two good runs. Perhaps prepared to overlook it for now but if he fails to show prominently here then it will become a bigger issue. Just seen Simons replaces Khumalo, doesn't help the confidence.

2 SOLAR ENERGY - 2nd on c debut, beaten 7.25l by M Blue, before winning his maiden by 5.25l nto. First run out of the maidens though he finished 34l adrift, 28l behind SR. Is surely better than that last run but whether he is good enough to trouble the main contenders here remains to be seen. I think it unlikely but, he has a good draw in 2 and if the price permits he could be worth a small e/w chance.

3 KING'S LINE - Kenny. Sand debut. Nothing in the breeding to indicate he will definitely take to the surface and coming off a 33 week rest is probably best to do a watching brief.

4 SILVER SPECIALIST - Magner/Chambers. 4-2-8 in 43 c runs but has struggled to have an influence at this d with a 0-1-2 record in 16 c/d runs. As usual will be willing him home for Elvis but can't recommend him with any great confidence at the moment.

5 EL MANOLETE - Not seen on c since his first two career runs, going down by 3.5l and 7l over 1000. Those runs at least show he can act on the surface. Has been in consistent form on the turf over 1450 and 1600, culminating in his maiden win 3 runs back over 1600. Was then rested 16 weeks but reported as not striding in both runs since. Difficult to evaluate currently but has the 1 draw and Lerena up and can't be discounted but has something to prove again.

8 ZEBULON - Not within 8l of the winner in his 6 runs following a 21 week rest and, though he has had some creditable runs in the past, can't be recommended on recent efforts and trainer form could also be better.

9 SUGAR RAY - 1-1-2 in 10 runs over c/d and was a possibly unlucky loser lto when, under Striker, was 3rd beaten 0.55l and seemed to be a little cramped for space towards the closing stages. Has had three consecutive bad draws and should be better off with the 8 box here. Has decent claims.

10 FIRST SUGAR - No closer than 6l of the winner in 4 c runs and that run was when 3rd in a WR race. Two heavy defeats since winning his maiden, the latest being a 14l defeat here over 1600. Unlikely.

11 USHKADEL - Moffatt. 1-2-1 in 10 runs over c/d but not closer than 9.75l of the winner in his last 5 c runs. Needs to show a return to form before he can be recommended.

12 SHADOW MODE - Moffatt. Rarely seems to trouble the leaders hese days and a 0-1-1 record in 7 runs does not inspire great confidence. Should not win.

If not for the weight and possible inconsistency I would be strong on Muthiah Pillai but, he is likely to be short in the market and at the moment, I am siding against risking him. If he fails then Sugar Ray is the one most likely to take advantage but his odds are likely to be too restrictive to be worth taking on Muthiah. Again though, I see nothing in the remainder that appeals with any conviction. El Manolete could mount a challenge but (too many buts in this race!!) he has something to prove also and I doubt he will be much better in the betting than close to the minimum e/w price. All of which leaves only the tentative small stake e/w selection, if the price is big enough, on Solar Energy... if only to give me an interest in the race... in the hope he is much better than that last run. It is a reluctant option though, very reluctant (especially at 12/1)... MUTHIAH PILLAI x SUGAR RAY x EL MANOLETE


RACE 5 - 1000 H'CAP-72

1 CHIEF SIOUX - Matchett. Sand debut. Won maiden on the turf on his only start at a mammoth 90/1. Breeding shows a possibility he will enjoy the sand and think it probable he will as trainer is very capable on the surface. Assuming not a one-run wonder horse then a fair chance despite the step-up in class.

2 BAH - Goosen. LG has shown a lot of confidence in this horse in the past and I suspect he is probably somewhat frustrated by the horse failing to deliver, perhaps one that shows a lot in his work but does not deliver the goods on track. Rested 10 weeks and drops back to sprints and I suspect Louis has worked the horse for the sand during the break in the hope that it will bring about a change of fortune. Breeding does not give any strong indicator he will like the surface and Louis may just be hoping but could be worth a small e/w on the chance that he finally fulfills some of LG's confidence in him, if the price allows of course.

3 WENDY MAE - GVZ/Strydom. Won maiden lto on c debut and the 3rd won nto and 4th ran a silver. Faces stronger but Striker retains the ride and is 1-2-0 in her 3 d runs. Must be respected.

4 MEN AND MOUNTAINS - 2-1-0 in 10 c/d runs but form seems to have deserted him recently and has not been within 5l of the winner in his last 7 runs. Needs to recapture form of old and until showing signs of doing so can't be recommended.

5 THE INTERVENTION - Decent 2nd on c debut lto and both 3rd (Melli Mou 0.75l) and 4th have run silvers since. Rested 10 weeks. Lerena up and if not needing an outing entitled to be thereabouts.

6 EXTRAORDINAIRE - Matchett. Won penultimate over c/d with a strong finish to beat Melli Mou by 0.5 (the appie now up, I think lol, puts him 3kg better off with 6 Ex on the runs against MM). Has for the most part been running consistently when drawn well though lto was disappointing on the turf. If reproducing penultimate then should be contesting the finish.

7 EAGLE FACE - Rarely far off but yet to break his c/d maiden tag with an 0-3-1 record in 9 attempts. Brown up and will probably be right up there again and if he can find that little bit extra at the finish then it might be his day.

8 HIGHLAND LAD - 2 3rds in 6 c/d runs but well beaten in all three starts since winning his maiden in a WR event. Khumalo up but not a likely winner imo

9 JETSONS - Naidoo/Fradd. Slightly disappointing lto (turf) as he had previously been running consistently but that was against stronger and the the only time in his last 5 runs he has finished out of the top 3. Hopefully, it can be ignored and back on the sand, where he is 1-1-2 in 8 c/d efforts, he can improve again down in class. Last time here he was second to Gold Prospector and GP and 5 others in the field have subsequently won. Might have a little more to find on that run at the weights with Jolly Good Sir and Kwaaiwater but must have a realistic chance of victory.

10 JOLLY GOOD SIR - 0-1-1 in 6 visits with the bronze coming in the race mentioned above. Lto here he finished 0.1l behind EF and 1.9 ahead of Kwaaiwater... same weight difference with EF but 7kg worse off with Kwaaiwater. Another with a fair chance and seems to be coming into better form recently, also winning his penultimate start (turf).

11 KWAAIWATER - 4 wins and a third in 21 runs. Has been running consistently, not been within 4.5l of the winner but not beaten by over 9.5l in his last 12 runs and the poorer ones have been on turf and/or over 160 or 200 further. At first glance his form perhaps does not look strong enough but he has not been far off some of these and appears to be better weighted with the appie back up. Perhaps not likely but definitely not to be discarded lightly.

Plenty in with a chance and for me difficult to pick one with any degree of confidence. In the end, I have decided on Jetsons. Prices are up now and if Bah and Kwaaiwater drift then I might nibble as they are both of a little interest for differing reasons. Unlikely imo one will win this race easily unless Chief Sioux loves the surface and it could be a blanket finish. Anyway, in the end... JETSONS x EAGLE FACE x JOLLY GOOD SIR.

Sorry guys. I have had enough of this. Its a piss-poor card, there is nothing I really like and I have had enough of trying to sift through all the mediocrity and write it up. Pirho, quiet, I'm not in the mood!

RACE 6 - 1200 H'CAP-69
1 AUTHENTICATED
7 ROAMING IN ROME
9 TAKAAMUL
6 CROKE PARK

RACE 7 - 1450 H'CAP-72
5 PASSION PLEASER
1 CROWN MINE
8 KING SCOTT
2 VELDDRIFTER

RACE 8 - 1450 H'CAP-76
2 LUCKY HAND
7 IN MY SECRET LIFE
13 SUCHA WONDER
1 OHIKI BAY

Be(s)t of luck to all (tu)

A write up of epic proportions. You sure take a major interest in SA racing and you should get yourself onto ATR when they broadcast SA racing.

Mind you your team are having a dismal time of it, so best to keep your mind on other things, like SA racing.

Keep the jottings near the top Engles(the apprentice moderator)
Good work,my last days punting for 22 days,off to Dubai.

Huge apologies... I put First Sugar as my 2nd selection for Race 4, that should have been Sugar Ray, now edited. Fortunately FS a non-runner anyway but hope it hasn't cost anyone a million on the exacta or whatever!!!

Enjoy Dubai DTF... shame, I have 4 dead cert idiots for Arlington tomorrow, all 25s plus (ps not that I have looked at the card yet lol)

Thanks again for all the hard works...

My god, a scot thanking an english... what has this world come to...()

I have to keep in with him

If I am not mistaken Englander tipped 6 winners outright. Rather impressive. Well done and I hope you cleaned up.

The Madji Wrote:

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> If I am not mistaken Englander tipped 6 winners
> outright. Rather impressive. Well done and I hope
> you cleaned up.

5

agra Wrote:

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> The Madji Wrote:
>

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>

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> > If I am not mistaken Englander tipped 6 winners
> > outright. Rather impressive. Well done and I
> hope
> > you cleaned up.
>
> 5


I was pissed from lunch time yesterday so was not sure. . .only 5.? Ja, he's a kak tipster.

Well done!

Thanks Maestro and all (including Tim). Definitely no clean-up, maybe broke even. Needed 6 for my accumulators, prices were too short. If Chief Sioux hadn't taken to the sand quite so well, which I did fear he might, then Jetsons would have made it a very nice day but such is life. And in truth, I was not exactly confident about them so it was a nice surprise more than anything else. Anyway, I'm waffling again, so thanks again and I'm gone... lol (tu)