Punters have many unwritten rules, and two of them are: do not back horses returning from a break, and do not back two-year-olds in handicaps at this time of the year. This time, however, we are going to ignore both rules.
Johan Janse van Vuuren is a smart trainer and when he enters a runner in a handicap, we have to take notice. Time Is Precious can win Race 9, a MR 66 Handicap over 1000m on the Vaal Classic track on Thursday.
This two-year-old gelding has had just two starts. The Querari gelding was third on debut behind Status Symbol over 800m on 7 December. He improved on that when beating Buffalo King Cody by 0.40 lengths on 29 January. That was a game victory for jockey Keagan de Melo, who retains the ride. Interestingly, Time Is Precious lacked betting support that day, so the win was full of merit.
Trainer Sean Tarry has a decent hand in Race 8, a Graduation Plate over 1000m, with Banff and Rondebosch. Rondebosch is weighted to win the race and does have log-leading jockey Craig Zackey in the irons, but this four-year-old gelding has flattered to deceive on many occasions. One cannot write him off, but the value might lie with Banff.
This four-year-old gelding has only had five starts and has won two of them. Banff returned from a four-month lay-off and a gelding operation to win at Turffontein over 1160m on 15 June, beating an in-form Black Egret by 1.20 lengths.
He was full of running that day and may have many more wins in his tank
Trainer Mike Azzie must be scratching his head in frustration as his four-year-old filly Winds Of Change continues to find one better on the day and has finished runner-up in her last three performances
She can win Race 7, an Apprentice Handicap for fillies and mares over 1450m.
Clive Robinson
