Bettors seeking an edge to Thursday’s 1 October Vaal fixture have plenty to work with as there are several enticing betting propositions throughout the card – with two Mike and Mathew de Kock-trained fillies, a pair of Drakenstein Stud homebreds, and a potential double for champion jockey Craig Zackey all worthy of betting interest.
De Kock-trained Vision Of Gold could set the tone in Race 1 over 1200m. The well-related Gold Standard filly, a half-sister to Horse-Of-The-Year See It Again, returns from a 14-week break having shown promise when fourth over this same distance on debut as a two-year-old. That experience should stand her in good stead, and natural improvement could make her a worthwhile bet on her reappearance.
Zackey will partner Clinton Binda’s Whatsdamatterwithu for the first time in Race 3, also over 1200m, and could make the most of the opportunity. The progressive Fire Away gelding has really turned the corner since being gelded and remains open to further improvement. He won’t need to find much to go one better after finishing second in a similar contest last time off the same mark.
Zackey has another strong chance in Race 5 over 1000m when he takes over from the injured Gavin Lerena aboard Mike Azzie’s Taking A Risk. This Fire Away filly has filled the runner-up berth in each of her last three starts, all off her current rating, and another honest performance could finally see her rewarded.
Returning Future Gamble provides an appealing each-way alternative in Race 6 over 1500m. The Drakenstein-bred-and-owned Futura filly progressed through the divisions during her three-year-old campaign with James Crawford and could be even better in the care of Sean Tarry.
While the trip is shorter than ideal, she is probably better than her rating suggests so looks well weighted under just 52kg. Her 112-day absence could also ensure an attractive price, making a speculative each-way wager worth considering.
The De Kocks take the wraps off a three-year-old exciting prospect in Race 7 over 1600m, in the shape of Feast Of Berries – a R3-million Vercingetorix filly bred for the big time, being a daughter out of Grade 1 Garden Province Stakes winner Redberry Lane.
Feast Of Berries improved with every juvenile appearance, progressing from a debut fourth over 1160m to finish second over 1600m before getting off the mark in determined fashion over the same trip on Turffontein’s Inside track.
Given 93 days to strengthen and mature, she should have plenty more to offer this season and makes considerable appeal on her handicap debut, especially as the form of her last-start victory has received a significant boost by runner-up Me And You winning both subsequent outings.
There is enough quality and upside here to make the Vaal card a punter’s playground rather than a guessing game. Follow the De Kock fillies, keep Zackey firmly onside, and don’t ignore the value angles where fresh legs and lenient weights could turn promise into profit.
Clive Robinson
