Tuesday’s midweek Vaal Classic fixture might be routine on paper, but scratch beneath the surface of the bumper 10-race card and there’s proper betting meat on the bone. The smart money looks set to flow through the hands of jockeys Calvin Habib and Jeffrey Syster, with the stables of Alec Laird and Tony Peter holding several strong aces.
The meeting kicks off with what shapes as one of the better betting races of the afternoon over 2000m. Aristotle (Race 1) comes into the opener off a confidence-boosting Listed success and looks primed to go on with it.
The Laird-trained son of Rafeef showed grit and stamina when staying on gamely from a handy position to land the Dr Richard Maponya (formerly Drum Star) Handicap over 1800m just 17 days ago. A two-point penalty for that win looks more than fair, and as a lightly raced four-year-old stepping up to 2000m for the first time, he still appears some way ahead of the assessor. Momentum counts for plenty at this level, and Aristotle has it.
Habib is likely to play a leading role throughout the afternoon, not least in Race 5 (over 1000m) where he partners Caroline Island for Tony Peter. The consistent Querari filly is good value to resume winning ways, even taking on male opposition.
She chased home a smart sort in a stronger race over this course and distance last time, and a repeat of that effort should see her bang there again despite a slightly higher mark.
The day’s standout wager, though, arrives late on the card in Race 9 over 1800m. Jaffa looks the right kind of horse to make a statement and earns the ‘Best Bet’ tag. Another from the Laird–Habib axis, this three-year-old son of The United States was heavily backed last time but found himself too far off the speed before flashing home for third over 1700m. That run screamed “next time” and the extra 100m should play perfectly to his strengths. He’s learning fast and rates as a progressive type worth sticking with.
Syster also has a book that demands respect. His four rides include two genuine winning chances, starting with Plumbago Park for Brett Webber in Race 7 over 1200m, and extending to Cartagena in Race 8 over 2400m. The latter, Heather Adamson’s sole runner on the card, is chasing a hat-trick and looks well placed to complete the sequence if reproducing recent form over the same course and distance.
Elsewhere, El Zani (Race 2) appeals as a solid follow-up for the Peter yard.
The two-year-old filly shaped with plenty of promise when second on debut over the same track and trip, and she now reappears under Gavin Lerena. Natural improvement should see her go very close.
Clive Robinson
