The biggest question which will be answered on Thursday 2 February, is how much more Wind Water has to offer.
This three-year-old Gimmethegreenlight gelding has seen his Merit Rating shoot up to 96 after winning his last two outings, but judged on those performances, another helfty penalty will not be a surprise after the running of Race 7 at the Vaal.
Trainer Johan Janse van Vuuren has opted to enter this bright young star in a Class B MR96 Handicap over 1000m where he will be aiming to complete a hat-trick.
Rated 74 after three runs, in which he never finished outside the top three, Wind Water then stormed to his maiden victory, demolishing the field to score by 4.25-lengths. That victory saw him penalised 11 points by the handicapper.
He followed up with another victory in a Class C Novice Handicap, and was subsequently slapped with another 11-point increase in rating.
Moving up to Class B now, Janse van Vuuren has surprisingly opted to fit his charge with blinkers for the first time.
The fitting of this headgear suggests the trainer expects his charge has much more to offer with an increased focus.
He won’t have it all his own way, though.
Stable companion Sheldon, a three-time winner from 14 runs, takes a drop in class here and looks the main danger. One would assume that the trainer has pitted the two against each other in training and reckons they will be evenly matched, so don’t be surprised by a 1-2 finish for the stable.
Completing the Trifecta could be Clinton Binda’s Umthombo Wolwazi. Also a three-time winner, but from only ten attempts, he is in hot form, as attested by the fact his rating has increased by 21 points in his last three outings.
Earlier on the card, Celestial City gets another go at glory in Race 6, a MR84 Handicap over 2000m.
A lot has been written about this exceptionally well-bred colt and it looks as if trainer Sean Tarry sees the future of this son of Silvano in longer distances.
Making his late but winning debut over 1600m, he has since also been tried over 1800m, and having never finished further back than second, could relish the extra.
Clive Robinson
