It is always ideal when looking for punting propositions, to be sure of a runner’s fitness level – as the saying goes, a fit horse will always beat an unfit horse.
Trainer Candice Dawson tends to run her horses only when they are racing fit and both on Tuesday on the Vaal Classic course both Power Of Pearls in Race 2 and Ethical in Race 3 look overdue for a turn in the winner’s enclosure.
Three-year-old filly Power Of Pearls has had just four starts and the worst outcome has been a fourth-place finish in her penultimate outing.
The Pathfork filly finished third on debut back in January behind Read All About It. She was next seen only in July when a well-beaten runner-up, 4.60 lengths behind Xenophon over this same course and distance (Vaal Classic, 1200m).
In both of those starts, she was ridden by Craig Zackey. Power Of Pearls proved difficult to settle in her third start, her first for jockey Serino Moodley, when finishing fourth, 5.90 lengths behind A Good Heart over that same track and trip.
She did better last time out when third, 2.80 lengths adrift of Vanakkan over 1000m at this track after being slowly into stride.
Heavenly Blue filly Ethical has been very costly to follow, having been beaten favourite in her last three starts. Moodley was aboard only in her latest start when she got close and finished runner-up behind Nkwenkwezi over 1700m at this course.
The three-year-old filly is not well drawn in stall No. 10, but the 1800m trip will suit and this looks a weak race.
Looking for bankers on this card is a tough task, but the most obvious one could be Johan Janse van Vuuren-trained Bjorn Ironside. This now four-year-old gelding has ability but has only won two of his 11 starts. He did well to win his latest outing, is well weighted and gets blinkers for the first time in Race 4, a Graduation Plate over 1000m.
Jockey Muzi Yeni takes the ride.
Clive Robinson
