VAAL 8th May?

Tough card, worthy of a good study.

Race 1, The 1/4 fav, Quest of Victory, despite a 141 day rest and 1st sand trip, wont have to be fully wound up to win this.

Boring ! Will take the fav to win with Terzani and Run for Bucks in exotics.


Race 2, Sees the debut of Warm White Nights' R1.1m half-brother, Galaxy Glory and Tarry's 700k Fort Wood colt, Jack Sparrow pitted against the 22 time unplaced, Chi Chi. Those that have raced, one must condider mactheknife's, The Manchild, Bit's Nuffield and Komani Ruler. Also interested to see how National Hound does 2nd time around after failing to show on debut when punted down to 11/20.

Komani and The Manchild


Race 3, The 2 favs, Time to Applaud and Welo are making their sand debuts. The lightly raced, unfashionably named 6yr-old Stoffeltjie, who has had 2 decent sand runs might just do it for the kerels. 2 Roughies to consider are The Connection and The Citadel.

The Connection from Stoffeltjie


Race 4, Elgin Marbles at around 7/1 could be the ticket here but if grecko's Liquorice sees out the distance he'll go very close. Others to include in the pick 6, which should pay today, are Perfect Illusion, Chico Azul and Syrian Syd.

Elgin Marbles

Race 5, Another toughie ! Nothing between Day Girl and Her Calling, while a real roughie to consider is Free Gold at any price. The obvious picks for most are Congratulady and Lady Patch, while National Delux could go close if she sees out the trip.

Her Calling, and including Day Girl and Free Gold


Race 6, Another pearler ! Mark Khan has retained the ride on Mr One-eyed Jack. Will consider Space Link, Inquest and Romeo's Boy. The nicely bred but very disappointing No Limits had a sudden hint of form last time.

Space Link and Romeo's Boys


Race 7, Beat Patrol is the one to beat imo. Fuzzy Cuzzy is well and sure to run a cracker, while the filly, Tattletale, carrying 51kg, could be a lurker.

Fuzzy Cuzzy


Race 8, B.Wiid's Gliding High looks to have a bright future and will be right there. The ever-green Ordinance could upset the apple-cart.

Gliding High and Ordinance


Race 9, P.Strydom takes the ride on Straight Talking, on whom he won his debut over course and distance a year ago. 3rd run after the rest and should be fully wound up. I would include Showroom, Dempsey, Quid Pro Quo and Bosveld into larger perms.

Straight Talking from Bosveld


Tough card which will probably leave one egg-faced, but one never knows ... !

Happy Punting and Ouzo to those with runners !!

i'll settle for ONE FOR AL

Another impressive racehorse from that mare, Thousand Nights.

I'm surprised there wasnt more money on the horse, seeing his half bro has won 2 impressive races... only managed to take a double with it and liquorice.

Maybe cause he's been scratched twice before G-man but good price

stoffeltjie looks the one here but dry humour the roughie

must be that mr h but wat a good price hey, won like a 1/1 fav.

In the absence of the pa king, catsmug, herewith my feeble attempt;
4 x 4 1,6 x 5,13 x 6 x 3 x 4,10.

Not the greatest of starts but will persevere (even a blind squirrel finds an acorn from time to time).

I fancy Capel Creek in the next .

cuckoo with our luck there is no such a thing as a acorn... lol.

good call el, maybe throw classic puzzle in there to...

At least wise is on the board with Chico.