Vaal Sand Thursday - the last Hurrah

Against my will, I have taken a bet to have some sort of interest today. Race 3, Roman Carnival is without doubt the class in the race. I have however taken Masters Spirit. Based on MS last run and RC's run in Aug stakes, MS was 0.04s slower. The weight turn around is a wopping 15,5kg in favour of MS... Imo should cruise in.

Beyond The Pale wrote: Also a minority reply but I'm going to miss the Vaal sand tremendously , as a player of exotics it was the scene of some of my biggest results, hoping for one last spin off today

I had my best day punting ever at the course and owned shares in a few winners there so I too will miss it.

R1 FIDELIO
R2 SHE'S A FLIRT
R3 MASTERS SPIRIT
R4 KOPI LUWAK
R5 SWEET PICKINGS
R6 AP'S LILY
R7 FORMAL REQUEST
R8 MIND GAMES

Hello Rabbit how's your Carrots, hope they Fresh
Haven't picked a winner in any centre recently

Good afternoon people of the world

Had a bad day yesterday, lets hope for a better one today

my picks

Race1 Pera hur
Race3 Brad surge e/w
Race4 Magic e/w
Race5 Slick deputy e/w
Race6 Dover Beach e/w
Race7 Formal request
Race8 De la vere

Good luck to all

I must say I have had quite a few horses winning at the VAAL sand track, so will be sad to see it go. my best win was in the August stakes G3 a few years back ( RED MIST ) @ in those days he did not qualify for the EMERALD CUP ........as they have been doing in the last few years.

How can I ever forget SILVER SPECIALIST winning at the vaal amongst " snow flakes " about 3 years back.....there was a big worry racing was going to be cancelled that day.

Come June, July , August - where do we race the horses in JOBURG when the grass is like concrete ?

HERE'S HOPING MY MAGNER STABLE GOES OUT WITH A BANG ON THE SAND TODAY.

take yankees.

CHAMPIONS CUP place e/w
VOLUPTIOUS LADY with the scratchings her draw has been halved from her last start over C/d- could well surprise
ROMAN CARNIVAL and MASTER`S SPIRIT from draws
PROUD AS PUNCH place - last win over c/d and almost at current MR
A P`S LILY - draw and being 3 can only improve
PAY AS YOU GO e/w
STRONGMIND place

ElvisisKing wrote: I must say I have had quite a few horses winning at the VAAL sand track, so will be sad to see it go. my best win was in the August stakes G3 a few years back ( RED MIST ) @ in those days he did not qualify for the EMERALD CUP ........as they have been doing in the last few years.

How can I ever forget SILVER SPECIALIST winning at the vaal amongst " snow flakes " about 3 years back.....there was a big worry racing was going to be cancelled that day.

Come June, July , August - where do we race the horses in JOBURG when the grass is like concrete ?

HERE'S HOPING MY MAGNER STABLE GOES OUT WITH A BANG ON THE SAND TODAY.

take yankees.

And no mention of our Master Entertainer :ohmy:

Very sad day - some thoughts for the desperate:

R1: Leigh Woods made a fair debut when supported - has the draw and must be the one to beat; I make the danger Fidelio

R2: Meet Me at Manos fro me had every chance last week - so I won't be taking odds-on - must have chance of course, but Bluemoonrush appeals as an each-way bet at the odds

R3: Roman Carnival - even if not 100% should still prove hard to beat, obvious danger is Master's Spirit

R4: Very competitive sprint - watch out for Sir Cecil - trying the sand for the first time and MR has plummeted

R5: Another tough little handicap - another sand debutante in Patrina can't be ignored imo - but my first choice would be Last Girl Standing - go Devin

R6: Eastside has shown big improvement (to say the least) but Fashion Secret should be much too good if repeating her maiden win - Dover Beach the danger

R7: Not easy, many of the better contenders have wide draws to negotiate; Beluga Berry has the draw and won on the Poly - not the same I know but tempting at the odds imo

R8: Another tough race to close down sand racing; Disco Boy really threatening to win and may have the early speed to negotiate his less than ideal draw - Strongmind has the draw but has not really shown himself to be effective on the surface, Viking Castle probably the safest inclusion for the PA

Enjoy - and at least they can't take away the memories (Farking Phumelela )

Someone tell Andrew he has to ride here. Not pose.

Pera hur finishes 2nd, dam it, close but no cigar

Let's watch how they play games on this track for the final time... Good riddance

Beyond The Pale wrote: Also a minority reply but I'm going to miss the Vaal sand tremendously , as a player of exotics it was the scene of some of my biggest results, hoping for one last spin off today

Me as well, picked up my biggest winning on the vaal sand. Also hoping to go out with a bang today.