Vaal Sand Thursday

Lots of power and connection issues today... anyway, sure you don't want to know about all my "issues" lol

Like others have mentioned in a similar vein, can't say I found much on the card that I liked, so will be taking the idiot route more today and just hoping

R1 There are no real positives in the breeding that I can see for the two Tarry newcomers and though one or both could finish 20 odd lengths clear of a very poor field I won't be touching them at the prices. The same applies to Ciao Ciao. I will chance a small e/w on Border Patrol with Truly Yours for the exacta. I'll find a pin and a blindfold the trifecta (and hope it lands on CC lol).

R2 The one to beat is Straw Market who appears to have strong claims here, three very good c runs over 1600 finishing well on each occasion only to pick up 3 x silvers. He has two silvers and two bronze from 8 d runs on the turf. Silent Force has disappointed in her last 2 visits and I could not back her with confidence here, King's Joy has a decent c/d record but will need to find something a little more than has been seen in recent runs to win. Capricorn Ridge was well beaten on sand debut (16.5l over 1600) last Saturday but still had the likes of Negev and Nigel Mansell behind so difficult to assess, could be a runner. Mauri Blue looks held by Deckie Boy on their last two runs and the latter now has a much better draw than lto. Both Mirage Drive and Sky Rise have positives in the breeding to suggest they could take to the surface. The latter comes off a 12 week break and a drop in trip so preference of the two is for MD who has been very competitive recently over this sort of d on the turf, decent appie up who is well accustomed to the sand and the 1 box, will invest in a small e/w. STRAW MARKET x MIRAGE DRIVE x DECKIE BOY

R3 Spinnaker Sail represents Spies/Chambers and must be respected but no positive in the breeding for me and as such now very short in the market. Most likely is perhaps Out My Way who has shown respectable turf form and there is something of a positive in the breeding. The Red Tsar is closely matched with Wild Thing on the run to Battle Of Alma and given that the former should have much more scope for improvement then I will favour him of the two and hope he is not in need of the run. La Tourelle made a respectable sand debut in a poor field but could have more improvement to come on the surface, should be included though the 1 draw may not be favourable... Out My Way x The Red Tsar x Wild Thing x La Tourelle

R4 Midnite Spirit x Lady Justice x Zena's Own x Belinsky

R5 Mulberry Bay has a chance on breeding of taking to the surface and if she does so then she must have a decent chance in a less than inspiring field. That said, not convinced she will go on the sand so at the price I'll look elsewhere. Sweet On You tries further from another good draw and has to be considered. Rolling Ruby, with Striker retaining the ride for Matchett, has a chance but yet to prove herself at this d and does not have a good record from high draws and my preference is for Lightning Lily who showed big improvement without the blinkers lto and was only 0.5l behind RR, with the better draw of the 2 here I think she can reverse that form. That said, I have no strong feeling for any of them and I will actually chance the other Matchett runner Elusive de Lage in a small e/w who has a positive in the breeding and not the worst turf form if the last two, where there were excuses. are ignored... ELUSIVE DE LAGE x LIGHTNING LILY x SWEET ON YOU

Time getting short...

R6 Breathless looks the right one to me if overcoming the draw but that has to be a big if. Shamal looks the most likely to take advantage should that prove to be the case. But, again I will row down the idiot's canal smiling inanely at the passers-by as they think whose that weirdo Conne Mara Black came from a long way back over 1800 last time and finished ahead of Shamal, the drop in d may not be to her benefit given Shamal has a much improved draw here whereas CMB is still stuck out in the wilderness but she has had to contend with wide draws in both previous sand runs and run respectably, if the jock can keep her close enough then she could still have a say at the finish. I do though marginally favour Jumpstart who I think might take to the surface and over this shorter trip could prove competitive... JUMPSTART x BREATHLESS x SHAMAL x CONNE MARA BLACK

R7 Judgeandjury is a big price for me given the ease with which he won lto and I will go with him here. Of the more fancied ones I prefer Lord Hawke but expect Call Kelly and Creative Stripe to be in the vicinity.

R8 I'm going to take a big chance and say Olympic Bolt is not for me today, I would rather take the fool's route and chance an e/w on Black Poseidon on sand debut who has a strong positive in the breeding for taking to the surface. With the d of the penultimate run and the saddle slip lto hopefully his last two runs can be ignored. His third run back was 2nd after a run (tenuous I know!) but prior to that he came off a 37 week break to win his maiden well, coming off a 13 week break here and hoping the rest can again work the oracle. Mywayorthehighway will hopefully make up a very decent exacta.

Be(s)t of luck to all

I quite like the place chances of Won't Wait in the first - he travelled fairly well over further last time and has placed this c & d

Wont Wait very nice eachway value in the 1st

Tim wrote: I quite like the place chances of Won't Wait in the first - he travelled fairly well over further last time and has placed this c & d

Agreed Tim, trainer shares same sentiments.

Places Mauri Blue

Strawm
Mirage drive
Kings joy

R2 for me

Be careful of midnite spirit! cover your p.a with a back up horse

Straw Market has solid sand form and is well weighted but concern is the distance and I'm not going for him.

Silent Force wouldn't have liked the 1450m and should lead over this 1800m. She is probably going to veer left in the straight but would have a chance at the weights if she behaves.

Spinaker sail and Midnit spirit 5/1 double

Shot

Good call Pirho (ggod to see you back!)

Which complete f@rking @rsehole is responsible for the camera moving away from the race and missing the 3rd. Not the first time. Pathetic, truly pathetic. Have you no blardy clue places are very important to some people, its not just about first past the post in this game you incompetent *nob

paulo & Lady Justice fixed place Multiple at 15/10

R3

Wild Thing
Penitent pirate
Out of my way