VAAL STRAIGHT COURSE THURSDAY NOVEMBER 18 FORMGUIDES, SELECTIONS, PERMUTATIONS
by David Thiselton
R1:
Preview: DRONFIELD (6) returns from a layoff of more than six months and if close to his peak should be too good here because the form of that race, in which he beat the like of subsequent Listed Golden Loom winner Alesian Chief, has worked out very well. ASTROCYTE (5) has plenty of scope and after not being disgraced in a strong form race over this course and distance he returns from a five month layoff. LULU'S BOY (1) was hanging throughout last time when showing pace and staying on for fifth over 1400m down the straight and before that disappointed over this trip from a wide draw around the turn so going down the straight over this trip should suit. THE HOUND (2) finished strongly over 1000m last time in second-time blinkers and should be a contender here although he faded from a handy position in his only attempt at this trip so there is a doubt he gets it. BLIZZARD AHEAD (4) has shown some ability and should appreciate the step down in trip. EARL OF CARDIGAN (3) has some scope and can be considered for quartets. (David Thiselton 6-5-1-2-4-3)
R2
Preview: LA BANQIERE (1) was outpaced over 1200m last time at Fairview but stayed on quite well for third and has finished second three times over this trip at Kenilworth so is the one to beat. DANCING DORA's (6) 5,25 length fourth place finish on debut in August over 1160m has been franked s the winner Moonshiningthrough came out and won a strong Novice Plate next time out. GROUNDHOG DAY (9) is by Wylie Hall out of a three-pars sister to Equus Champion Sprinter Russet Air. LETHA (12) is by Duke Of Marmalade and is a half-sister to stablemate The Fifth Wave who won two of her first four starts over this sort of trip. MISS UNITED STATES (4) has shown enough to be able to earn here. (David Thiselton 1-6-9-12-4)
R3
Preview: FREEDOM SEEKER (6) should enjoy this course and distance and has a potentially favourable high draw and races off a merit rating which has come down to an attractive mark. LUCY IN THE SKY (2) ran a good third over this trip last time around the turn from a wide draw on Turffontein Inside and the form has been franked so she should go close from a potentially favourable high draw. ALULA'S STAR (7) is progressive and could follow up on her last win although a low draw might be a concern. DUBAWI PRINCESS (3) has found consistency and should come into her own this season but does return from a four month layoff. HEAVENS GIRL (1) is the Grade 2 SA Fillies Nursery winner but she has to give weight to older horses and 8kg to her contemporary Alula's Star and is returning from a five month layoff. (David Thiselton 6-2-7-3-1)
R4
Preview: SAMOA (15) was most unlucky last time over 1000m when baulked and staying on strongly and she has won over this trip before. WAYA YIRE (6) represents the in form Mike de Kock yard and comes off a fair run over this trip from a wide draw on the classic track. STOLEN KISS (3) is knocking on the door and has a potentially favourable high draw over this suitable trip. FEATHER THE NEST (9) was a touch unlucky last time when running on for fifth over this course and distance and can be involved off a merit rating which has dropped another two points. LAETITIA'S ANGEL (1) could be a threat from a wide draw off a reduced merit rating and with 2.5kg claimer Venniker aboard. FANTASY FLOWER (12) has the same draw as last time and is only half-a-kg worse off with Feather The Nest after beating her by a shorthead last time. FLOWER OF SCOTLAND (10) can place again from another nice high draw. KWAZZI'S LADY (2) has the ability but returns from a layoff. ABALUS (7) can also earn from a middle draw. BIG CITY GIRL (8 ) has ability but a low draw might be against her. MIDNIGHT GEM (4) also has a form chance but has a low draw. (David Thiselton 15-6-3-9-1-12-10-2-7-4)
R5
Preview: BOWIE (3) has fine form over this trip and is drawn on the right side by recent trends and although 3.5kg under sufferance with the best weighted Sweet And Spicy he has a 1,5kg claimer up.. ROCK OF AFRICA (6) ran a fine race last time in a strong field and is joint second best in at the weights under the Middle Stakes conditions, 2kg under sufferance with Sweet And Spicy. BALLON D'OR (4), who is joint-second best weighted, will enjoy this trip and is drawn on the right side. (David Thiselton 3-6-4)
R6
Preview: BEY SUYAY (1) only just failed on his Highveld debut over this trip and can go close from a nice draw of ten. MY MASTER (4) won his maiden well over this trip and had an impossible task at the weights last time in a Graduation Plate. POWER RANGER (2) is better than his last start and could have benefitted from a layoff being by Silvano and stoutly bred. ZEUS (7) was backed on debut and got up after making up a lot of ground although he was given a very hard ride and if that did not take too much out of him he can be a contender off a 79 merit rating from a wide draw. FLINDERS RANGE (8 ) should be in the shake up. (David Thiselton 1-4-2-7-8 )
R7
Preview: SERGEI (7) is knocking on the door and is distance suited. VALENCIA (8 ) is 0,5kg better off with Sergei for a 1,25 length beating the last time they met and is drawn on the right side. RIVER JORDAN (3) can be a contender here off a lowered merit rating if not losing too much ground at the start. MASTER OF LAW (10) has a form chance here from a high draw under Khumalo. WAQAAS (4) loves it down the straight here but has the potentially tough number one draw. LIGHT WARRIOR (13) will enjoy the course and distance and has a nice high draw. TRACK COMMANDER (9) has a place chance on formlines. (David Thiselton 7-8-3-10-4-13-9)
R8
Preview: JUAN CARLOS (2) made a fine Highveld debut and is only half-a-kilogram worse off with Humble Tune for a half-a-length beating. HUMBLE TUNE (6) is a progressive sort who is well drawn over an ideal trip. LADY CALAVERA (10) should enjoy this trip being a full-sister Hertstwings and has a good draw. APOLLO ROBINS (1) has a chance if able to overcome a wide draw. FIFTH OF JULY (3) drops back to a more suitable trip and has the in demand 2.5kg claimer Venniker up but he has a tricky draw. MONSOON KENNY (12) did well first time out the maidens and is drawn in pole over a step up in trip he should enjoy but he is 1.5kg under sufferance. (David Thiselton 2-6-10-1-3-12)
R9
Preview: ZOFFANY'S GIRL (4) made a good debut when staying on strongly from the back over 1200m from a wide draw for a a 1,25 length fourth and she has plenty of scope so is the one to beat in this maiden handicap over a step up in trip she will relish on pedigree off a merit rating of only 63 although her wide draw is a concern. GROOMEDTOWN (11) is by Pomodoro out of Grade 1 winner Golden Slipper winner For The Lads and he can improve on his fair form so has a chance carrying just 54.5kg from a good draw under Khumalo. QUALITY JOKER (7) did quite well last time over 1400m considering he was one wide without cover in the running and he will enjoy this trip so has a shout from pole position. (David Thiselton 4-11-7)
Bipot (R108)
Leg 1: 1
Leg 2: 6,2,7
Leg 3: 15,6,3
Leg 4: 3,6
Leg 5: 1,4
Leg 6: 7,8,3
Place Accumulator: (R216)
Leg 1: 6,2,7
Leg 2: 15,6,3
Leg 3: 3,6
Leg 4: 1,4
Leg 5: 7,8,3
Leg 6: 2,6
Leg 7: 4
Pick 6: (R1050)
Leg 1: 15,6,3,9,1
Leg 2: 3,6,4
Leg 3: 1,4,2,7,8
Leg 4: 7,8,3,10,4,13,9
Leg 5: 2,6
Leg 6: 4
Jackpot: (R210)
Leg 1: 3,6,4
Leg 2: 1,4,2,7,8
Leg 3: 7,8,3,10,4,13,9
Leg 4: 2,6
Best:
Race 9: 4
Value:
Race 3: 6
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