The eight-race programme at TAB Vaal Classic track on Tuesday 3 November presents punters with several attractive betting propositions, with reigning Equus Champion Jockey Craig Zackey, fellow rider Calvin Habib and leading trainer Sean Tarry all well placed to register doubles on the Highveld card.
Zackey could get the ball rolling in Race 2 over 1800m aboard Grant Maroun-trained Giddy Up Grace, who looks overdue a maiden success.
The four-year-old daughter of One World has found form and consistency since relocating to the Highveld, finishing runner-up in three consecutive starts, most recently over the same distance.
She would not be winning out of turn and, with little improvement required, a repeat of that latest effort could be enough to see her deservedly open her account.
Tarry could strike in Race 3 with promising Secret Getaway, a well-bred three-year-old Gimmethegreenlight gelding who made pleasing improvement from his first to second outing. He was game in defeat when finishing a close-up second after making the running over 1600m on the TAB Turffontein Inside track last time.
Kabelo Matsunyane, aboard in both starts, retains the ride and the extra 200m should bring further improvement. Secret Getaway looks primed to shed his maiden tag and provide Tarry with the first leg of a potential double.
Habib could get among the winners in Race 4 over 2000m aboard Alec Laird-trained Doctor Strangelove, who appeals as an attractive value proposition despite his wide draw in gate No 14. The Master Of My Fate gelding boasts a perfect record from his only previous attempt over this distance and should appreciate stepping back up in trip after returning from a three-month absence over 1800m last month.
That comeback came in significantly stronger company and he is entitled to strip fitter. Dropping in class, racing off an unchanged handicap mark and returning to his preferred distance, Doctor Strangelove has plenty in his favour.
The outside draw complicates matters, but he could reward eachway support.
Habib could complete his double in Race 7, a 1600m fillies and mares’ handicap, aboard Robin Klaasen-trained Moana, an exciting daughter of New Predator who makes her seasonal reappearance.
The three-year-old showed considerable promise at two, finishing a close-up second on debut before rattling off three successive victories, one over 1400m and two over 1600m. She subsequently tackled male opposition at Grade 1 level and was far from disgraced, finishing less than five lengths behind the winner.
With further improvement likely as she matures, Moana looks a filly worth following this season. The booking of regular rider Habib adds confidence to her prospects of making a winning comeback.
The strongest betting proposition could be reserved for the finale, where Tarry and Zackey combine with exciting three-year-old Gimme Sunshine in Race 8.
The well-bred Gimmethegreenlight filly caught the eye in two KwaZulu-Natal appearances, finishing third on debut over 1400m at Hollywoodbets Scottsville before producing a remarkable winning performance over 1600m at Hollywoodbets Greyville.
Having appeared hopelessly positioned, she made up almost 10 lengths in the final 400m, quickening in the manner of a filly with considerable ability. That explosive finishing burst suggests the longer run-in of the Vaal Classic track will play to her strengths.
Ideally drawn in gate No 2 with just 56.5kg, Gimme Sunshine looks well placed to make a winning Highveld debut before progressing to bigger and better things.
Clive Robinson
