Emerald Cup day at the Vaal

Good morning and the big day has arrived for all you sand lovers.

1st race looks like a match between the first timer Bandera Nativa and Shahar, I hear the first timer can run?

2nd race also looks like a match between numbers 2 and 8

4th fancy the Azzie horse Queens Bay

Emerald Cup Galahad should be the right one, but still remember Alimony's great win last year, should be a good race to "watch".

Dealsdunn could be the banker in the last to catch a decent pick6.

Please post your fancies and good punting

scotia

Racing Express spoke to the trainers and here is the feedback.

Gary Alexander: SENOR JET (Emerald Cup) has been working well back home. He has come on since his last run, which was inspiring. If our jockey can overcome a wide draw he is in with a place chance. This is ABSOLUTE PRUFE’S (Race 2) first run on the sand but he has been working rather well. If he takes to the surface, you never know, he could be thereabouts.

Mike Azzie: I was disappointed with LOCHLORIEN’S (River Resort Sophomore 1000) last run as I expected him to win. He is a lot better and if he puts his best foot forward he should have the measure of this field. As for my other runners, BEEBEEJAY (Race 2) is struggling a bit and has been something of a disappointment. I’ll be happy if he can earn a minor stake. FLYINGWITHOUTWINGS (Race 4) scored a good win at the course last time out and is in with a good place chance. She has her stable companion to beat. I’ve put QUEEN’S BAY (Race 4) back on the sand where she won by a street on debut. Be warned that she beat eight dogs and three mice on that occasion. I am very happy with her work at home and expect a decent run from her.

Jan Breedt: RENEGADE (Emerald Cup) is as well as he could be and I am hoping for a good run from him. He is very genuine.

John Buckler (assistant trainer to Mike de Kock): DIJLA (Emerald Total Rewards Sophomore Fillies 1000) was most disappointing in her last run and has been on the sidelines for a long time. She is working well but I believe she may just need the run. She is above average and will come on nicely over the next few months. MELTAWAY (River Resort Sophomore 1000) was gelded recently and is doing nicely. He is a good horse but I believe it is not easy for horses to win the first time they race on the sand. He is working well at home and will win his races for sure. CENTAUR (Emerald Cup) has come well but is not the soundest individual around. He is working well and I am happy with him at this stage. JUDGE JUPITER (Emerald Challenge Vaal River Handicap) races well on the sand and this is his second run after a rest. I believe he will be running on late and a first-three finish is a possibility.

Dylan Cunha: LIBERTY EAGLE (River Resort Sophomore 1000) is promising and was pipped on debut by Orbison over 1200m. He takes on a good field but is not out of it. SHAHAR (Race 1) ran a cracker after a rest over 1200m. She works well on the sand and I think she will give a good account of herself. I have healthy respect for the first-timers but she has a definite chance.

"Lucky’’ Houdalakis: DANCEOFTHESPIRITS (Emerald Total Rewards Sophomore Fillies 1000) won well in her first outing on the sand last time out but is 4kg worse off with a few in the race so we have our work cut out. I think 1450m is a bit short for FEARLESS GUN (Emerald Cup). If the pace is on he could well run on well late and sneak into a minor placing. DAZZLING DAN (Race 3) is back to himself and should run a decent race. VOLLY TO VICTORY (Race 10) is back on the sand and I believe he will improve on his current form on this surface.

Alec Laird: There are not a lot of races to go for given THEREALSLIMSHADY’s (Emerald Cup) current merit rating. He has been working quite well on the sand at home and rates as a Quartet horse. I have healthy respect for GALAHAD and even CROWN OF POWER, who could upset the apple-cart. As for my other runners at the meeting, HALIE’S SWORD (Race 7) is working pretty well and is close to his best. He suffered from a lung infection and was ill but after time and dedication he has made a tremendous recovery. On his day he could win a race of this nature. THE GIANT (Race 10) is always trying his best. I am hoping for a win and he is well enough to be right there. He should finish in the first three.

Craig Mayhew: PEPPERMINT ROAD (Race 1) is no superstar and this will be her sand debut. I was happy with her last performance and think she is worth including in Quartets.

Stuart Pettigrew: I’m forced to race SPICED GOLD here (Emerald Total Rewards Sophomore Fillies 1000). I would have loved to have had another option, so this not by choice. The programme does not accommodate turf racing to prepare horses for three-year-old feature races. I don’t like racing my horses on the sand. This is a prep for a feature two weeks away. BULLION FEVER (Race 1) is not a reliable horse and has a poor draw to overcome. I am hoping for a good run but am not expecting too much under the circumstances.

David Rahilly: E-FUEL’S (Emerald Cup) preparation has gone well and he is well in himself. This trip may be a bit on the sharp side and he has a bad draw to contend with. This may all be in his favour, though, as he will be off the pace away from a lot of the kickback. He is expected to be doing his best work at the end.

Corne Spies: WHITE TIE (River Resort Sophomore 1000) has come on really nicely. He is well and looking a picture. One must never be over confident but I think he should go close. CROWN VOX (Race 4) is showing up very well and I expect another good run.

Diane Stenger: TRAPEZE ARTIST (Race 2) is knocking at the door and goes for S’manga Khumalo. If he doesn’t win on Saturday it will be soon after.

Sean Tarry: SAYADAW (Emerald Challenge Vaal River Handicap) will appreciate the 1800m journey and has a clear chance in this field. As for my other runners, NATIONAL QUEST (Race 1) has been battling of late and I am hoping for some improvement. ARGO BAY (Race 7) is fairly consistent and won a good race on this surface last time out. He must be in with a chance in this field. ECHO OF THUNDER (Race 10) enjoys racing on the sand but may just need a sharpener in his first run after a rest.

Brett Warren: ABBOTTSBURY (River Resort Sophomore 1000) works well on the sand at home and we will see what he is capable of doing on the day. I don’t know much about our opposition but am encouraged that Piere Strydom has taken the ride and I am expecting a decent run. He is a very decent animal. ALWAYSAWINNER (Race 3) is in great shape and I would be confident had he got a better draw. The good news is that the field cut down from 22 to eight and I am expecting a good run.

Geoff Woodruff: We are not sure how EX UNITATE VIRUS (Emerald Total Rewards Sophomore Fillies 1000) will handle the sand surface. Her work at home has not been bad and her ability speaks for itself. We are taking our chances. NORQUINCO (Emerald Cup) is working very well but this is a tricky race and I don’t think people should single out specific runners. This is a tall order for him from a wide draw but we are taking our chances. DEALSDUNN (Emerald Challenge Vaal River Handicap) is a course-and-distance specialist. He takes on probably the strongest field he has met but I believe they have him to beat. As for my other runners, BANDERA NATIVA (Race 1) is a nice filly but goes 1450m in her debut and may race green. She is not a betting proposition but has ability and I won’t be surprised if she runs a forward race. I look forward to seeing how she goes. I thought CRADOCK (Race 4) was most disappointing last time out and expected much better. She is back over her correct distance and from a good draw has a fair chance.

Azzie talking down Queen's Bay, I wonder if they want 18/10???

Treble: Alwaysawinner/QUEEN'S BAY/Dealsdunn

P6
2,3,4,8....or banker 8..back over shorter...blinkers...marcus...
5.............or put the field..most are running in 2 weeks feature 1200
1,2,3,4,5,6,11........or only 2,11
1,2,3,4,6,7,8,9,10
10,11,12,13,14
1,2,3,4,5,6,7....or banker woody...entered for summer cup...

or

8
field
2,11
field
10,11,12,14
1

full for < R1000

gregbucks Wrote:

---

> Azzie talking down Queen's Bay, I wonder if they
> want 18/10???
>
> Treble: Alwaysawinner/QUEEN'S BAY/Dealsdunn
Not one to talk down a horse

Hahaha..Yes you right Mr H, normally they all World beaters.

I hope for Another Schlepp he is on the mark - Put a line through the last - on her last win she will be in the first four today

the merit rating system gets shown up...peter miller knowing his horse is way above average wins his maiden in kimberly by a street with the full knowledge that the highest merit rating the handicapper can give him is 60..takes it to the vaal and it romps home under its restricted handicap...time for handicapers to have the shackles removed and let them do what they are paid for..TO HANDICAP HORSES ON MERIT

Petrus-R1.2 Million Debutante in Kimberley Race 2
Posted by: Justanotherpunter (IP Logged)
Date: August 31, 2009 07:13AM


Dave,

Just think how many bottles of JWB that could buy,and it's racing for a 1st stake of R25 000.And to top it all,it's 5,so they've had to feed it for a few years too.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/31/2009 10:09AM by Justanotherpunter.

I THINK THEY DEFINITELY GOT A PLAN ON RECOVERING THEIR MONEY BACK...

Well Azzies horse Queens Bay again wins by the distance.

Might be fav for next years cup?

send to dubai

Remember..most of these horses in the 5th runs in 2 weeks 1200m feature