140422 Speed ratings for main contenders with previous Vaal Sand form –
Race 1
84…Battle of Alma…28/10
77…Royal Stock…10/1
75…Play-Play…8/1
64…Wild Thing…9/2
56…King…100/1
50…Wallingford…40/1
Selections: Play-Play, Battle of Alma, Royal Stock.
Review – The 3 top rated are well clear on sand form and all look good for the quartet- the top vote going to the most likely improver, P-P. Wild Thing has shown better form on turf than last year’s runs on sand yet that form is not always transferable. A couple of lurkers from good sand stables – Fields of Athenry and Qurum.
Race 2
116…Across the Ice…7/10
103…Hang Fire…12/1
102…Nice Stride…10/1
102…Stavinsky…10/1
100…Yukon…12/1
..94…Benbow…33/1
Better history: Nice Stride (109), Yukon Gold (108)
Selections: Across the Ice, Hang Fire, Yukon Gold, Nice Stride
Review – Any one of his last 7 runs would see last years winner Across the Ice win again here. Isobar needs to be very special on sand to upset - not for me.
Race 3
72…Forever a Friend…22/10
71…Merlins Gem…6/1
70…Lady Casey…15/10
70…Runaway Time…7/1
65…Trophy Lady…10/1
63…Mayan Destiny…12/1
Selections: Forever a Friend, Lady Casey, Merlin’s Gem, Runaway Time
Review – Little ‘value’ or confidence with most of the obvious contenders, not a lot to get inspired about but not much else in the field – shall include the well drawn Red Please in the exotics.
Race 4
105…Shiver’n Shake…9/2
100…Club Captain…12/1
..96…Dalalaat…12/1
..95…Inventive Girl…8/1
..95…Be Mine Tonight…4/1
..94…Ntombe…5/1
..94…All in the Mind…14/1
Selections: Shiver’n Shake, Ntombe, Inventive Girl, All in the Mind
Review – Shiver’n Shake has the credentials to win again, Ntombe looks likely to improve on good sand debut whilst Club Captain appears better over 1000m.
Race 5
98…Men and Mountains…20/1
97…Dennis the Menace…10/1
96…Jimmys Lightening…14/1
94…Trip Tease…16/10
94…Mogok’s Desire…50/1
92…Maji Moto…14/1
92…Sole Mio…3/1
Better history: Maji Moto (100), Comm.Street (101),
Selections: Maji Moto, Dennis the Menace, Trip Tease, Sole Mio
Review – Trappy contest that could well hold the LJE surprise package for today!
The two favourites, whilst contenders, look very short in the market.
Race 6
116…The Mouseketeer…11/2
116…Pylon…1/1
115…Taptap Makhatini…33/10
111…Uncle Tommy…11/2
102…One Man’s Dream…25/1
..91…Aces High…50/1
Better history: Aces High (104)
Selections: The Mouseketeer, Taptap Makhatini, Pylon, Uncle Tommy
Review - The top 3 rated need to perform and make hay whilst the sun shines as Tommy Gun already has one hand on ‘The Emerald’.
Race 7
112…Formation…4/1
111…Jackodore…14/10
105…Shattered Image…20/1
..97…Tomorrow’s Miss…16/1
..95…Nightingale Grey…16/1
..92…Rivulet…25/1
..??…Festival of Fire…7/2
Selections: Formation, Jackodore, Shattered Image, Festival of Fire
Review – Formation is a lot better than her last run against Jackodore.
Shattered Image looks ‘value’ here (at least for a place), in this race again, whilst the classy Festival of Fire represents the ‘turf’ challenger from currently the ‘hottest’ sand stable. Do not think Rivulet can repeat last years sensational run.
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Race 8
80…Just a Thought…12/1
77…Ngiyashisa…8/1
77…Triple Distilled…11/2
71…Impeccable…40/1
70…Truly Yours…33/1
??…James Blunt…9/10
Selections: Ngiyashisa, Ngiyashisa, Ngiyashisa, Ngiyashisa,
Review – Ngiyashisa qualifies as best bet of the day – he has proven sand form, a good draw, from a competitive ‘sand’ stable and at a good price – certainly a PA banker !!! Furthermore, most of the opposition are poorly drawn which also affords consideration for such lurkers as Glowfly and Daring Drift in the quartet.
Better history = previous VS form (ability) that is superior to the current form.
Selections = a mix of speed ratings, draw, trainer ‘form’ etc, where applicable.
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