
Trainer Tony Peter has thrown a spanner in the works for bettors who fancy the higher odds offered on antepost betting by declaring Vanderbilt a runner on Thursday 8 June at the Vaal in Race 4, a MR104 Handicap over 1600m.
The four-year-old boasts six career wins from 18 starts, to go with his six second- and third-placed finishes, so must be a highly fancied contestant in the only Class A event on the card.
The problem, however, is that Vanderbilt is also carded to run at Hollywoodbets Scottsville in Pietermaritzburg on Saturday 3 June in a MR110 Handicap over 1400m.
With the two racecourses close on 500km apart, and only five days between the two meetings, it is rather unlikely that Vanderbilt will be taking his place in both events, so at the time of writing, it remains a mystery what exactly the plan is with Vanderbilt.
Vanderbilt was highly impressive when last seen at Turffontein in a Class A Pinnacle Stakes over 1450m when he won from pillar to post, extending his lead in the last 400m when seemingly finding more with every step.
A 1600m specialist, he looks hard to oppose, should he actually canter out to the starting stalls.
In Race 6, a MR82 Handicap over 1000m, Captain Dizzy is the designated banker bet.
This five-year-old moved up to the Highveld towards the end of last season and is now unbeaten in three runs for trainers Barend Botes and Yolandi Vosloo.
The Highveld air is obviously doing wonders for this son of Captain Of All, and his merit rating has jumped up 18 points to the current 87 since his relocation.
Carded to carry top weight, the trainers have engaged the services of apprentice jockey Siyanda Sosibo for the ride which results in a 2.5kg relief for Captain Dizzy.
As an apprentice who is in position 31 on the champion jockey log, Sosibo seldom gets to pick and choose his rides, so given the chance to mount a five-time winner that is in top form, it goes without saying that he will see this as an ideal opportunity to add to his tally of 22 winners for the season.
In the lucky last a MR66 Handicap over 1450m, Sean Tarry’s Maboneng gets the ideal opportunity to redeem herself after a disappointing last outing when running out of steam over 1600m.
Dropping down slightly in distance, this four-year-old filly has the benefit of jumping from pole position and has leading jockey Keagan de Melo in the irons. Having partnered up only once before – for a win – the duo can retain their unbeaten partnership.
Clive Robinson