JACK MILNER from RXP
TRAINERS Corne Spies and Paul Matchett look the people to follow at the Vaal on Monday afternoon where racing takes place on the sand track. Spies has nine runners on the card but it is in the early races that his runners look set to dominate. He opens the day with Carina Coleman and the two-year-old daughter of The Sheik looks to be the stand-out bet on the card.
She began her career in a maiden juvenile plate over 1000m at this track where she took on the colts. She was by no means disgraced in finishing fourth, just three lengths behind Three Captains.
Her next start was in the Grade 3 Pretty Polly Stakes where she nearly caused a massive upset. Going off at 66-1 Carina Coleman went down by 0.20 lengths, beaten by Corpes Da Elite and Spring Clover.
She then returned to maiden company but in a competitive field she again had to settle for minor money as she ran a 0.90-length fourth to Esterel. Spies then took her to Scottsville to run in The Debutante (Grade 2) over 1200m but she faded late to finish 8.55 lengths behind Captain’s Call.
Back to a maiden Plate for fillies on the sand against weak opposition over 1000m this afternoon, she looks very difficult to oppose.
In Race 2 Spies sends out Malboro Beat who will be having his second start. His debut run on the turf was most promising and although he never looked like winning, the Woodborough gelding managed to finish a 5.25-length fifth to Winter’s Night over 1200m.
He tries the sand today but he has the advantage of a No 3 draw and with the experience under his belt, he should go close.
Anuthabaa has been a long-suffering maiden but a glimpse at his sand form indicates he should be most competitive in this weak field over 1800m. His last start, over 1600m on the sand, was probably his best to date as he finished a 1.25-length second to Fair Beau. Many of his most likely opponents are badly drawn here but Francois Naude will jump from barrier No 6 and that gives him quite an advantage.
Matchett’s runners look to dominate Race 5, a MR 90 Handicap over 1600m, and Race 7, a MR 92 Handicap over 1000m.
Showroom tries 1600m for the first time but he has performed well over 1450m and he should see it out. His task has been made easier with the withdrawal of E-Fuel but the runner he will have to beat is St John Gray’s Announce Speed.
However, on a line through E-Fuel, he should be able to achieve that task. They both finished some two lengths off Andre Kirsten’s runner and at the weight turnaround the advantage is clearly with Showroom.
Two of Beat Patrol’s victories have come over 1000m on the sand and he looks a cut above his opposition here. In his last start he beat Ordinance over 1000m on the turf but he is one of those runners who adapts well to both surfaces.
Pride ‘N Joy looks upset material in this race. Spike Lerena’s runner has only had one outing on the surface and he was beaten a head by sand specialist Space Link. He also showed a return to form in his last start when beaten a neck by Kings Gold at Turffontein. He has just 52kg to shoulder and that makes him a lively contender here.
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