With only maidens and lower-class contests on the nine-race card at the Vaal on Thursday 9 February, the most interesting race is a Juvenile Plate over 1000m.
Three of the eight runners have already opened their accounts – two on debut – while four others will be getting their first taste of racing.
Stable companions Virginia Beach and Leaving Las Vegas, both fillies from the yard of Tony Peter, were backed on their respective debuts and subsequently produced the goods.
Virginia Beach jumped at 5-2 and scored by 2,5-lengths. The way this daughter of Silvano increased her lead towards the end suggests that the step up to an ‘adult’ distance will not be a problem at all.
She also showed a maturity beyond her years and is one to follow.
Leaving Las Vegas jumped at even shorter odds of 33-20 when making her debut over the same course and distance she faces on Thursday.
This Rafeef-filly also won with consummate ease. Although her official winning time seems rather on the slow side, it must be remembered that her victory came on a yielding track.
Fire ‘N Flames, the other runner with a victory to his name, scored well at the third time of asking. It was his first run over 1000m after two outings over 800m. He also jumped at odds of 5-2 when exiting the maidens.
This son of Fire Away appears to have lots more to come.
While these three are expected to fight it out, Xplicit Content from the in-form stable of Johan Janse van Vuuren must not be ignored. Without a win, this Vercingetorix-gelding has twice been runner-up and with that experience, as well as having his second run after gelding, could score.
Of the newcomers, The Africa House looks most promising. This What A Winter-gelding was bred by Gaynor Rupert’s Drakenstein Stud is trained by Sean Tarry for owner Laurence Wernars.
Tarry also sends out Celestial City in Race 7, a MR74 Handicap over 2000m.
This son of Silvano out of Halfway To Heaven was supposed to have his fifth run a week prior, but was scratched on the morning of the race due to being under veterinary treatment. He is the banker on the day, provided he takes his place in the line-up.
Janse van Vuuren looks well set to score a treble on the day with Brosnan in Race 3, Silver Mensa in Race 8, and Civil Princess in Race 9.
Clive Robinson
