Two Class C events – one a handicap and the other a plate contest – headline the eight-race Vaal meeting on Thursday 23 March.
In Race 2, a MR 80 Handicap over 2400m, Banha Bridge is carded to face six challengers. This six-year-old Flower Alley gelding has certainly improved with age and has not finished outside the top four – which include two victories – in his last eight runs since the start of the season on 1 August last year.
Trained by Candice Dawson and owned by internationally renowned race-caller Alistair Cohen, he is very comfortable over the distance, as attested by his win and two runner-up finishes in his last three runs over 2400m.
Rated as high as 85 as a three-year-old, he is once again climbing the ratings ladder and looks the one to beat in a small field, although he definitely won’t have it all his way.
The Lucky Houdalakis-trained Captain Chorus last saw the inside of the winner’s enclosure about a year and a half ago, but boasts a solid record of one win and four places from five runs over this course and distance. This is the ideal race for this son of Captain Al to bounce back after some poor form recently.
While Afraad disappointed last time out might be in need of a break, the same can not be said of Great Affair.
Trained by Barend Botes and Yolandi Vosloo, Great Affair produced a cracking finish last time out over this course and distance to finish runner-up, just 0.5-lengths behind Absolute Value.
One can’t help but wonder if he was denied a third career win by jockey Rachel Venniker dropping her crop 200m from the line. She makes way for JP v’d Merwe to resume his partnership with this son of Gimmethegreenlight.
In Race 6, a Graduation Plate for maidens as well as one- and two-time winners over 1600m, the Stephen Moffatt-trained Lilliana should jump at very generous odds coming off a break of 142 days.
It must be noted that she did produce an excellent performance in her first run of the season, also over 1600m, when racing fresh after a break of more than six months.
The four-year-old daughter of Vercingetorix was tried over slightly further in her last two outings and, dropping back to 1600m, could reward followers quite handsomely.
Mike de Kock’s Destiny Of Souls also drops back in distance after finding 2000m too far last time out. The three-year-old was reported to be blowing on a number of occasions but if breathing easily should be right there at the finish.
Clive Robinson
