Vuil "Vaal" Vanderbijl - Thursday 21 Dec 2017

Pale lilac / Star of joburg double.... any comments?

R2 KISSMEINMYDREAMS (PLACE)***
R3 HE'S GREAT **
R4 PALE LILAC **
R5 TOMMY WATERDEVIL **
R6 RESOLUTE CAPTAIN *
R7 THE TIN MAN **
R8 STAR OF JOBURG ***
R9 BURGUNDY ROSE (PLACE) ***

Captain's Command

Flying Feather

That's Life

Our Shining Star

Kilrain

Race 5 - Hidden Agenda @ 5's is a good bet imo.

Fail looking card for a Thursday at the Vaal ... thoughts:

R1: I think it lies between 3 runners here; Skiminac had some good form before blinkers were fitted, goes without those again today and from a nice draw with an experienced rider is my first choice; Captain's Command tries further after a fair debut - the Houdalakis yard always to be respected at the Vaal and for me should fight out second with the consistent Soldat,, who has many chances but will be aided by a very capable rider and pole position

R2: Not the easiest start to the BP; Selfie is improving with racing and must have chance, although imo will be better over 1200; value at current odds definitely Kissmeinmydreams, who made a fair debut on Tuesday and on a line through Hafla, there should not be much between her and Khomotso; Nightmare faded late over 1160 last time, so could improve over the shorter trip.

R3: With Gavin not riding I think one needs to watch the betting on the extremely pricey debutante Mardi Gras - almost 3 times the price tag of the R1.1 bar stable mate Kentucky Blue :ohmy: The other van Vuuren runner made a fair debut behind Star of Joburg and may be the better one, although he ran if he needed further and is also held on that run by He's Great (has to be included imo) and Seventh Son who tries blinkers. Then we also have the 500k first timer Royal Cavalier - very open imo

R4: For me Pale Lilac made a great debut and should go very close with normal improvement; obvious dangers are Our Shining Star (should improve over this trip), Sweaty Betty and perhaps Shakespeare Inlove

R5: Competitive handicap, but a few look to be out of sorts recently, so (in no particular order) maybe one can get away with Tommy Waterdevil, Kilrain, Hidden Agenda and Bold Viking

R6: Resolute Captain really knocking at the door and today could be his day; dangers imo are Polar Ice (tries blinkers) and So Long Spring (still seems well handicapped). Querari Viking can place, while Samar, who won easily last time in soft going, has much more to do today imo

R7: Looks a race in 3 between Alex the Great (jock ?) Sky High Flyer and The Tin Man

R8: This looks trappy to me; will be interesting to see how Star of Joburg goes off his (lowish according to some) rating, but cases can be made for many runners here and I'm going wide - definitely including the Houdalakis trained Just an Affair

R9: I fancy Claremorris at the weights and she looks very good value at current odds; Celtic Lady sure to be right there again and watch out for Prosperity who is much better than her last two efforts

Enjoy

Carve the turkey looks a place prospect

Hi guys,

I've started a little South African racing blog from here in the UK , to chart my punting progress (or lack of it!) on a selected daily meeting.

"Almost" covered my stakes yesterday after an abysmal opening day. Today could be pretty expensive if nothing comes in but I'm hoping to have enough funds to "Carve The Turkey" this Christmas

I've always been a fan of South African Racing and the ABC Forum and I'm hoping to be a little more active here in 2018.

Best wishes

Steve

SELFIE
SEVENTH SON best place value - sw box HE'S GREAT and THAT'S LIFE(hardly knew he was in a race last time)
PALE LILAC would have beaten Zargun if she had mire experience - doubt this will die a 1 time winner
JIM CABLES e/w

Well done Soldat backers in R1. I was on a non-runner.

That's Life

Our Shining Star

Sabre Dance

Pantsula could be better than the double figure price suggests....

Race 3

include the 5 National Host @ 33s

in all your plays