Jack Milner: A full eight-race card of Maiden Plates is on offer for bettors at the Vaal and these race meetings often provide some good betting fare.
That looks to be the case on Tuesday when they race on the Classic course.
Abalus has proved costly for punters to follow because she has raced six times, and after finished fourth on debut, the three-year-old daughter of Jackson has been the runner-up on the following five occasions.
She was carded to race last Tuesday but after Lyle Hewitson was medically indisposed and did not ride, trainer Ashley Fortune withdrew Abalus, citing that no suitable jockey was available.
This filly might not be the easiest of rides, so Fortune has waited for Hewitson to recover, and he has been carded to ride her in Race 2, a Maiden Plate for fillies and mares over 1000m.
It certainly could be worth the wait because the three-time champion jockey illustrated that not even a dose of Covid-19 could inhibit his riding talent as he claimed three outstanding victories.
It is worth noting that Abalus is coming back in distance. After her first three races Fortune’s charge raced twice over 1450m and last time over 1200m. But based on that last run in which she made most of the running, she clearly has the pace to win over the minimum trip.
These horses are costly to follow but hopefully the three-time champion jockey will be able to finally get her nose in front on the line.
Interestingly, many of her opponents appear to have the same problem. Quick Run, who looks the main danger, has had three seconds, a third and a fourth in her last five starts.
As a four-year-old and should be giving 2kg to Abalus. On this occasion, trainer Shaylan Naidoo has engaged a 4kg claiming apprentice to take the ride so it will be Abalus who will be giving away 2kg.
Nevertheless, Abalus should have more to come and with Hewitson up is expected to finally end her reputation as the perennial bridesmaid.
There are a number of unraced runners carded to race at the Vaal, and while from the trainers’ comments in ComputaForm indicate most of them will either need the experience or will be looking for further, some of these fields are not all that strong and it could pave the way for a first-timer.
They do, off course, assist Pick 6 players because if they do win one of those legs, the first raced runner also is included.