Vaal Saturday

28 Horses only 1 winner , this 1 could be the rite 1 , was punted from 20/1 to 9/2 in the week, now 8/1 . missed the hattrick in the last run with 60.5kg and raced with stell bar shoes, Carrys 54.4 with A strike. And entred in the summercup . Worth a punt on it .

Gavin on a double R3 Saddle slip on debut . R9 Drop from a merit rating of 85 to 66. that Gavin Double.

Brave Mary The way she won in midland on that Grade 1, she be very hard to beat.

R1: captain My Captain win
R3: Ensemble win
R5: Romi's Boy Place
R7: Social Order Eachway top 6
R9: Kirkconnel Lass Win

Race 3
Moderate on what is shown so the winner could come from the unraced.Of the balance the older Prima Ballerina gets my vote

Race 4
Kicks off the big one!
I have one and she's nicely in!She has hardly put a foot wrong and must be considered as an anchor as the card must surely get trickier.

Twelve Oaks
She annihilated the vaunted Brave Mary on debut with recent mr 86 winner Dame Kelly further back.
She wasnt disgraced in the Nurseries having the measure of Kissable and went on to beat the good Tarry filly Celestina giving her 3.Given a short break after being found lame when taken to Scottsville and has had three good runs since and has to be the filly they've got to beat

Her biggest danger could be the temperamental Tarry filly Simply Royal but they could all be fighting for the minors

lack of time means no write-up today but having picked the winner last year, Irish Pride, surprisingly, I'll have 3 stabs at the Heritage.

Social Order 14/1
Maximizer 18/1
Zouaves 13/1

might also nibble Classify @ 25/1

also fancy Brave Mary, a fit Brave Mary should win

Race 5 Alfolk 8 fair place chance
Race 6 Daring Diva 3 strong win chance
Race 7 Forest Fox 7 under rated , has a pull against a few
Race 8 Toro Rosso 1 Callan ,big weight maybe a place
Race 9 Catwalk Tease 11 lightweight strike
Race 1 Shotgun Rider 9 strong ew hope

P6 [7]/[1, 7, 8]/[1, 2, 3, 7]/[10, 11, 13]/[1, 3, 8, 10, 11, 12]/[1, 5, 6, 7, 11, 12]

PA [1, 6]/[7]/[1, 8]/[1, 2, 3]/[10, 11, 13]/[1]/[11, 12]

ACC
Race 1
Fixed - Place (3)
5 Captain My Captain
Race 4
Fixed - Place (3)
7 Twelve Oaks
Race 6
Fixed - Place (3)
3 Daring Diva
Race 8
Fixed - Place (4)
1 Toro Rosso (brz)

Race 1: #13 WHATSITALLABOUT
Race 3: #4 ALL EYES ON YOU
Race 5: #8 ALFOLK
Race 7, Grand Heritage: #13 SECRET CAPTAIN
Race 9: #9 CARIBBEAN QUEEN

Prosperous punting

Each ways stabs for the day as usual...

Twelve Oaks 9/2
Orapa my serious roughie for the heritage 40s available
Dutching Toro Rosso (12/1) and Front Rank (12/1)
Baronios 5/1
Dawnbreaker 16/1

Win double on Ensemble & Barrack Street

Secret Captain

Class Rating HORSE NAME Speed R National Rank
86 CHILI CON CARNE 3.533 53
34 MAXIMIZER 3.389 215
28 CLASSIFY 3.36 330
42 SOCIAL ORDER 2.643 164
36 ZOUAVES 202


Very big field – expect upsets. This is the apparent form. Chili Con Carne hasn’t been at the top of his game – but should be ready for this race. Social Order may not be fully exposed and neither Zouaves. On pure form should be between the top two. There are a number that could push their way into the top ranking on the nattional log – not a wagering race, rather one to see how social order and zouaves go, as well as some other talented sorts in the field who have not shown full potential

Anything that is supported in the last 10 minutes of the market and isn't on this list will be a big contender as well.

If Chili Con Carne has lost it completely, then I reckon Social Order would not be a surprise winner.

Shotgun Rider in Race 10

Fire Fire Fire!!!

Winning form throwing a curved ball and scanning their form onto the site in .pdf format --- means I have to revert to manual calculations ---not worth the effort

A day to take a few exotics for 'fun' ....big question marks about the draw after the track 'refresh' and the readiness of (mostly Tarry) runners ..... thoughts:

R1: Captain my Captain imo can be beaten; Whatsitallabout finding betting support, so probably main danger, but none of Prince of War, COmbat Muster and Good Emperor can be ignored.

R2: Hoping for oscar's sake, Muriel can run a big race ..... nothing cut and dried; Lily Starlette has the best form, but may have breathing issues, so not to be trusted; Blindfold made a fair debut in s strong looking race and then disappointed (in season) next time when supported; Kitty Coo is having her 22nd try so place chance probably the best she can hope for; Forever Joy place chance as well

R3: Looks the easiest race on the card; Ensemble fair debut just behind All Eyes on You and both should appreciate going 1200 (may need further though); Hafla (1/2 sister to Al Sahem, may also prefer more ground, who knows ?)

R4: Very trappy contest; Simply Royal probably prepping and better further; Twelve Oaks probably better 1000; My Fried Lee now ready ann course specialist, so definite chance, Old Em finding betting support and must have a chance as well; none of the others can be ignored though

R5: Very tough, any of the 8 can win, especially as it seems like Alfolk is not quite ready

R6: Fitness to be taken on trust about the 3 class runners; imo Daring Diva over the 1000 will make the other 2 run

R7: Spin that wheel .... top 4 for me would be Hidden Agenda, Zoaves, Elevated and Secret Captain

R8: Bold Coast looks well weighted and has an obvious chance imo with the consistent Tokyo Drift; Toro Rosso now seems back to best so big runner as well with the in-from Dan the Lad; Brave Nomad one of the few Tarry runners finding some betting support

R9: I think Kirkconell Lass and Open Road will at least give you a run for your money and I have real doubts about the KZN visitor; Wrap it Up, Catwalk Tease and Inkolo all contenders for places

R10: Have a beer and watch the Springboks - after the game we may need to drown our sorrows

Enjoy