Jack Milner: Racing at the Vaal on Tuesday looks a card of two halves.
The better bets appear to come early and then it gets a lot tougher. So, the way to go is to build up a kitty in the first few races and then look for the big payouts later on.
Trainer Paul Peter felt that on the work Belle Of Belize was showing them, she looked a potential Fillies Guineas runner. Unfortunately, that did not translate to her form in races, but Peter felt the addition of blinkers and a tongue tie last time would do the trick.
The daughter of Ideal World found one to good in Mike de Kock-trained Golden Spoon but Belle Of Belize can finally get into the winner’s enclosure in Race 1 at the Vaal, a Work Riders Maiden Plate for fillies and mares over 1400m up the straight.
Phenisile Mongqawa takes the ride, and she looks the best bet on the Vaal card.
Up-and-coming Nartjie from the De Kock stable will try 2000m for the first time in Race 4, a MR 96 Handicap. Stamina will not be a problem and he is out to prove his class and secure his ratings for future feature races.
In fact, De Kock might well have the Grade 1 WSB SA Derby over 2450m at Turffontein on 3 April in mind for this son of Vercingetorix and this run could give an indication as to whether he will see out the distance.
He does meet some experienced older horses so it will provide a strong test for the three-year-old.
Race 2 is a Maiden Plate over 1400m and should involve three runners – Candice Dawson’s Raisetheredlantern, who has finished runner-up in all his four starts, Qunetra, trained by Roy Magner, and Mike and Adam Azzie-trained Southern Song, who showed up well on debut.
Raisetheredlantern always seems to find one better so maybe Southern Song could the one to do the frustrating this time.
Jack Milner’s selections
Race 1: 1 Belle Of Belize, 4 Fasinada, 3 Apple Drop, 11 Lee Express
Race 2: 12 Southern Song, 1 Raisetheredlantern, 2 Qunetra, 7 Global Player