The Vaal Thursday 28/12/17

Frodo wrote: 7 handicaps (highest MR 80) and two maidens - should say it all :ohmy: Thoughts:

R1: Mackbool being backed as if it's race over - Double Tap disappointed in his last start, but on his penultimate run could give the fav something to think about - rest seem really moderate

R2: Fillies and mares handicap and plenty with chances; Costa de Sol looks the right one imo; Sabina's Dynasty may be better than her last start, but needs to show that the handicapper has not caught up with her; Return to Power looks the value imo

R3: Pietro Mascagni out to redeem himself; at the weights surely has the advantage on both Greek Fire and Full Mast, but the older horses will not be push-overs; Captain Chips always thereabouts and not a lot between Tommy Waterdevil and Street Flyer

R4: Looks one of the easier races on the card; imo Africa's Sky faced slightly stronger, so is my pick from Pinfanta, who should hold Empress Rock; Poormanslady a possible lurker

R5: This looks tough; Secret Potion the obvious one, but she has been losing ground at the start in all her runs - imo would need to jump on terms to win this; plenty of dangers - Ntoma has a poor draw again, but beat quite a few of these from a wide draw last time and is not really weighted out of it; Salmon Run also should be thereabouts with Braxton, with Russian Friend and Curbstone Shuffle not out of it; even Blue Sage and Cinnamon Slew can upset if returning to their best

R6: Resolute Captain beaten by a slowish pace last week - should not have such problems today as there are one or two in the race that likes to race handy; on a tricky card shapes us as a possible P6 banker imo; biggest danger is Trip to Paradise who is also overdue, while Copper Pot has come down to a level where he will be competitive again - I seem to think he is in next week again, so maybe this run will get him cherry ripe

R7: Another difficult race imo; initially I thought Volcanic Sunset would be the right one, but looking at collateral form, The Falls Road (who took 16 runs to win a maiden) on a line through Come the Day, seems to hold VS - which makes this very open; Seventh of June now gets a 4kg claimer, which should really make him very competitive, while Yer-maan and Patrick is also knocking at the door; then we have Bush Pilot, who may need more ground and another run, but can't be totally ignored

R8: Competitive sprint; Marmook has breathing issues, but has the form to go close here from Moshav, who will give the fav something to think about; open beyond those two - Vicomte is a roughie that I think could surprise coming back to 1000; Rebel's Champ tries blinkers, but on their runs behind Pinnacle Peak, would need to improve a whole lot to finish in front of the roughie Battle Creek; Pillaroftheearth is talented but looks held at the weights and may also need his first start after being gelded; Roman Evening not totally out of it either, while the fillies Freely Forever and Distant Call will have their work cut out imo

R9: Jazaahla the obvious one, but form may not be that strong; if she does fluff her lines it looks wide open; Amajory with the claim will probably try and go start to finish, while stable mate Moss Gas looks capable of upsetting; Modjadji and Melinda's Garden (on her last run) also have to be considered if opposing Jazaahla

Enjoy

Lionel wrote: Keen to see how Pietro goes here. I think the soft going did not suit him last time. I think he will show his class today....I hope

Sweet Coetzee wrote:

Lionel wrote: Keen to see how Pietro goes here. I think the soft going did not suit him last time. I think he will show his class today....I hope

Only Greek Fire can beat him imo.

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Lionel wrote:

Sweet Coetzee wrote:

Lionel wrote: Keen to see how Pietro goes here. I think the soft going did not suit him last time. I think he will show his class today....I hope

Only Greek Fire can beat him imo.

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Good run by both horses. Still more to come from PM me thinks.

Nice exacta Sweet Coetzee.

mr hawaii wrote: Africa's Sky - but for the draw I would have a serious punt