Vaal Saturday

johnnycomelately wrote: Are we racing?

Yes

Some useless info charter jet rating went up to a 61 after her 2nd last week but runs off a 43 today as weights were officially out ...

pirates wrote: Some useless info charter jet rating went up to a 61 after her 2nd last week but runs off a 43 today as weights were officially out ...

Big question of course is can she repeat that effort - for me I really doubt it, especially taking into account the soft going

Frodo wrote:

pirates wrote: Some useless info charter jet rating went up to a 61 after her 2nd last week but runs off a 43 today as weights were officially out ...

Big question of course is can she repeat that effort - for me I really doubt it, especially taking into account the soft going

Hi FRODO, what do you like on the card?

Race 4 We sent Silvan Star up to Gauteng immediately after the Majorca and she has been hosted by Ormond Ferraris at Turffontein. Her main mission is the Empress Club Stakes on 21st April, so this is her prep run. She has had time to acclimatize, and has reportedly settled in well, but she has not been pushed and obviously we took it easy with her in her first few weeks up there. She is not a filly that needs a huge amount of work and she is very talented. It is very disappointing that this meeting was moved to Vaal as we obviously would have wanted her to get a taste of the Turffontein track.
If we had had had a better draw in the Majorca then I have no doubt that we would have gone much closer. In the Paddock we had an interrupted prep missing her intended prep run in the Victress, and again no doubt would have been in the first three if not for that setback.
Not sure how she will handle the soft going. Richard Fourie is there to ride her and we will get good feedback from him after the race as he knows her very well.
There is not much between the top four at best, although the weights do favour Nother Russia. Secret Star has the advantage of having had a run a month ago while the other three have not run since Met day two months ago.

Quite a few interesting puzzles to try and solve - and first one would be how wet it actually is - according to Sahorseracing the official going is 'good to soft' and the pen at 26 - so that does not seem to be too wet - and it should dry out and the day goes on - as there are no more rain forecast; question is do we trust the report? Myself I'm watching the first and hopefully we get feedback from the jocks; second question would be will the draw be a factor down the straight - but only the 3rd race (only 6 runners) is down the straight, so mostly a non-issue.

As to the card:

First two races both look like a bit of guessing would be needed - in the second Colonel Bogey comes back to shorter and at the price looks a bit of value imo

R3: Opera imo should hold the others at the weights and for me should be favorite, but there is not much in it and obviously both Peter runners need consideration

R4: Nother Russia has won after a break before and must rate the one to beat - especially as the main opposition are also coming back from breaks - so it's a bit of a guessing game as to how fit they are; should none of them be up to the task, Star Profile could be the upset, as (although being well out at the weights) she has done well in soft conditions and is racing fit

R5: Not too many can win this imo; Casciano should hold The Tin Man on the run behind Minnesota, while Thewaymemakethem is a winner this track an trip and is a definite inclusion in everything; Barbel Run and Shortstop (handicapper has really got hold of him now) would be the other two in the race

R6: Very tough race to find the winner imo; most of them have beaten each other regularly; Cape Infanta has a lot in her favor and should be right there again and would be my first choice, but if you don't trust that one, you need to go wide

R7: Pretty much the same applies as in the previous race; Sammi Moosa looks the real obvious one; for me I like the look of Black Cashmere - will be running on and seeing that SM is struggling to fine the winner's box, I'm including that one.

R8: A few ifs and buts here; Defy Gravity looked a bit unlucky last time and is my first choice; Nightwatchman looks an improving sort, but is unknown in soft conditions; Yer-maan loves it soft and should be right there; Hokanui ran away from a weak lot last time, but has more to do imo; Inn a Million and Gentleman Only not out of it on best form

R9: Obviously a few with chances, but I have been following Barbie Doll and for me this is her ideal distance and with the aid of blinkers, a nice draw and Gavin I am not going to be looking any further for the winner

Enjoy

Carmalita to walk them in race 3
Fish River Canyon and Sheema in Race 6
Mambo Symphony in Race 8

Happy punting

I really fancy the double Masters Spirit x Casciano

Mr Tinsel ew

Ready To Strike first 2

Mr tinsel e/w good place bet. Sw ex with lptf

Amajory

Nother Russia

Casciano varimax

Wide Queenie places.

Legend seeker places

Gentleman only places

Gold dust woman if forced. Otherwise include all others in the betting.

The favourite or anyone's guess