MOTOWN MAGIC TO PLAY THE RIGHT TUNE
-Andrew Harrison
Bankers are always a bonus when it comes to exotic bets and the Vaal Classic course could provide a couple of such opportunities.
As far as the Pick 6 goes, if you take your chances in the first two legs, you will either be smiling after the fourth or already know your fate.
In the opening leg, Candice Dawson should have it all stitched up with Ontheverge. Although she has been costly to follow, she hasn’t missed a cheque in four starts and has been close-up in her last two when tried over ground. Dawson obviously believes that there is still more to come and first-time blinkers could do the trick.
If you are not sold on that then possibly add Meadow Beauty who has had two sprints for Paul Matchett and from one draw with Muzi Yeni back in the saddle she could make the required improvement. Putting Green is another that made a fair sprint debut and should much prefer this trip although she does come off a lengthy break.
The combination of Mike de Kock and S’Manga Khumalo is proving deadly and Motown Magic looks the obvious choice in the fourth, a maiden over 1600m, after two close-up runner-up berths over the distance. The colt may just have needed his last effort when going down narrowly and should go one better.
If you are looking a little deeper, Sean Tarry saddles Indelible who although coming off a short break has caught the eye in both starts and could prove the biggest threat. JP Two Thousand does duty for another in-form combination in Paul Peter and Warren Kennedy and is coming along the right way. This is his third start and should be cherry-ripe.
Things get more difficult in the fifth, a handicap over 1600m. Platinum Sky takes on some seasoned opposition but the Tarry runner looks to have plenty of scope. He was rested after his easy maiden win at only his second start and a tongue-tie seemed to bring out the best in him.
He will first have to get past Alec Laird’s gelding Prince Evlanoff who is hardly ever out of the money and is down in class. He was caught late last run when looking a winner and now gets a tongue-tie to help his chances. Banha Bridge may just have needed his last run and the form has since been franked. He should also be a serious contender.
Some quick horses line up in the Pinnacle Stakes over 1000m but Valyrian King goes very well over course and distance and is due a change of fortune. He was narrowly beaten by the smart filly Rapid Fire last time out but is now 1.5kg better off which should be enough to turn the tables. Bold Ransom was two lengths behind that pair when last they met but his last two wins have come over course and distance and he must be a solid contender.
The seventh is another wide open fillies handicap. Anne Boleyn took on much stronger last start and although well beaten she was staying on nicely. She meets weaker here and should run a decent race. It has been a long time between drinks for Sultanah who does seem to have some problems. However, she was running on nicely at her most recent start and is now 0.5kg better off with Anne Boleyn so there should not be much between them. Phoenix over-raced early in her last start in useful company but still managed to stay on for second and should be in the mix along with Aryaam and Toto.
Punters face a tricky question in the closing event. Do you bank on Hollywoodbound or go as wide as finances allow? Roy Magner’s filly took time to shed her maiden but then ran a cracker in a strong feature and that form has held up well. She has been rested but a repeat of her last showing should see her home.
If she doesn’t run up to expectations then the pair of Sister Light and Just Fabulous should give a lot of cheek and there does not appear to much between the two. Elusive Woman has not been far back at her last two and is another in with a chance should we not go to ‘Hollywood’.
Racecard:
www.tabgold.co.za/fixtures/racecard/20210928/XVD/1
Topic Author
