Vaal Sand Thursday

Which Erasmus and Spies will turn up.... :woohoo:

Justash/nigel mansell dbl

R1 Thrust
R2 Anasa/Eastside
R3 Pass.
R4 Nero
R5 Captain Haddock
R6 Shine tiger
R7 Forest view BB
R8 Yangtze Kiang / Danielle

R1 Thrust didn't have the most fluent of starts on debut and ran from a draw usually seen as disadvantageous on this course, that was a decent effort imo and think he will win this.

R2 Back at this d from an ok draw Eastside could be competitive here, small e/w shout.

R3 Poor field so I'll take my chances that Won't Wait chooses this as a day to behave etc, on some earlier form has a decent chance here imo but not one to have huge confidence in.

R4 All the money seems to be for Big Shot but I marginally prefer Nero. Interesting one at something of a price could be Delamere who was favourite lto and though well behind Big Shot that day, he was reportedly not striding and runs from box 1 here.

R5 Another small only bet race imo, I'm giving Rockingandrolling a chance to redeem a very poor effort lto. Yukon Gold and Duty Dance could surprise.

R6 Plenty interest in Cool Kid and he did finish well lto but, Angel Gabriel was poorly away that day and also ran on well, finishing ahead of CK. True, the latter finished with the bigger rattle but AG more proven over this d and 4-5 times the price. AG small e/w

R7 Forest View back in d from the 1 box very much the one to beat for me. Strongest fancy on the card. All I Want could represent some value, not striding lto and back to d of his maiden win.

R8 I think Kosava but just not convinced. Close Relative has a tricky draw but is a full sister to Uncle Tommy so must be seriously considered. Seven Kingdoms a chance (SJG e/w patent last 3 races?) but, in the end, decided I would chance a minimum stakes trifecta with Sway, Daniella and Yiangtze Kiang.

Be(s)t of luck to all

personally I love the sand trap , as I mainly play exotics I'm always on the lookout for roughies and total form reversals , will be sad when they no longer race on the surface. It's the opposite on the Greyville poly where exotics are really piss poor with results very few and far between and I only play wins and places on that surface.

my 2 cents worth today

Race 1 Thrust put in a decent debut in a competitive field when quietly fancied. the stable has returned in some form but backing Matchett on favourites can put you in the poor house in no time. Just Ash gets the blinkers and delpech rides and is the obvious danger, I'll have an interest on Cry of the Toreador at 10/1 and better .

race 2. Pride in battle not given a great ride last time and can improve , looking at 7/1 and better.

race 3. Battle of arsehole looks very hard to beat but at odds on and no disrespect to the stable I'll be loading up.

Race 4. nero my first choice at 9/2 but open look to it.

race 5. nigel mansell and captain haddock narrow first selections at 7/2 and 7/1 respectively.

Race 6. Cosmic tom a narrow first choice in a very open race. 7/1

Race 7. Forest View my best bet for the day but sadly now 33/10 from 4/1.

Race 8. favourite or anything , i'm leaning Paree at 10/1

Play Well

In the first, Magic has beaten Just Ash twice, before an indifferent run last time - could be worth another chance and not bad value at 6's

Straight line pa for me today only R50

10/2/1/7/4/10/4

Silverdream Racer in the first to run into the places.

Best punting track in South Africa
Take doubles Big Shot and Forest view
12/1 still available , I snapped up the 23/1 quickly

Is Candy Time.....

Wouter wrote: Silverdream Racer in the first to run into the places.

meh

Eastside to place , at worst