Clive Robinson
A very mixed bag of contests awaits racegoers at the Vaal on Thursday 20 October.
The card opener sees half of the field of 14 runners making their debut in a Maiden Plate for fillies and mares over 1000m.
Of the runners with racing experience, Corne Spies’ Above The World does seem a touch above the rest of the field, but having gone to post eight times already without success, it remains to be seen whether she has that will to win, and the killer instinct to lead a pack.
The same can be said of Princess Ilaria, who went off at 9-10 and 15-10 respectively in her last two outings, only to disappoint her followers. As the saying goes, ‘fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me’. It’s unlikely that this Pomodoro filly trained by Fanie Bronkhorst will have the same support this time round, but she does deserve respect.
If the two mentioned don’t make the cut, debutante Lil Miss Moneybags could capitalise and score a victory on debut. From Ashley Fortune’s yard, this What A Winter filly should be kept safe.
In the second race, a Graduation Plate over 1700m, six runners will meet for the first time.
Here trainer Mike de Kock’s Climate Control seems to be a little step ahead of the handicapper.
The three-year-old Ideal World gelding, bred by Wilgerbosdrift & Mauritzfontein, has never finished outside the money in five attempts.
Second time out he finished just 2.5-lengths behind Golden Prospect, who went on to contest a Group 1 and Group 2 event. Climate Control has received tons of market support since then and despite only a solitary win, he has never disappointed.
Race 6, a very competitive MR72 Handicap over 1000m, sees a full field of 14 runners facing the starter. Here Jet Cat, trained by Heinrich van der Westhuizen, is the value bet on the day and should reward connections and followers for their perseverance.
The seven-year-old Trippi gelding doesn’t have much stamina, but he has speed to spare. If in the mood, and jumping cleanly, he could give the unknown trainer his first win since May.
Paton’s Tears will also need to get going from the word go if she is to score a fourth career victory in Race 7, a FM83 Handicap over 1450m.
Lucky Houdalakis’ mare has gone 546 days without seeing the winner’s enclosure, but in this line-up, and with S’manga Khumalo in the saddle, she looks a decent eachway bet.
After being tested over 1600m and 1800m a number of times recently, the drop in distance should be just what this Coup De Grace mare has been waiting for. Not ideally drawn, she also has Khumalo in the irons and he shouldn’t have any problems getting her perfectly positioned.
