Houdalakis could make his own luck

Danie Toerien

Two Class B contests headline the race meeting today at the Vaal, and both look to be a minefield for punters.

Race 6, a FM95 Handicap over 1600m, sees twelve runners carded to go to post and a case can be made for most.

Miss Elegance, trained by Lucky Houdalakis, last tasted success 532 days ago, but in this field, she could well score that elusive third career victory.

She has an impeccable record over course and distance, with a victory and a runner-up finish from two attempts, and one has to wonder why she has not been given the opportunity to build on that.

Perhaps the answer lies in her Merit Rating, which peaked at 106 after her second win. That rating obviously suggested that this daughter of Master Of My Fate was something special.

However, after five attempts at graded status, and a string of runs in the lower divisions, her rating has finally dropped to 91 – a much more realistic judgement where she looks to be highly competitive again.

The four-year-old is seldom first out the blocks but does tend to finish off strongly. Stepping back up in distance, it won’t come as a surprise if the race caller shouts her name at the business end of the race.

Stable companion Terra Time looks the biggest danger. This Time Thief three-year-old filly is maturing beautifully and after six very decent post-maiden efforts, could finally clinch her first Handicap victory.

Ululate and Rouge Allure also have claims, and having gone head-to-head last time out, renew their rivalry on slightly different terms, which could see the result of that encounter reversed.

The 2kg swing in weight could be just what Rouge Allure needs after playing second fiddle to Ululate last time out.

There is also Belle Of Belize, who is aiming for a hat-trick. If this Ideal World filly does pull it off, it will most certainly be a surprise as she steps up to a distance, she has never looked comfortable over.

Trainer Paul Peter, however, is a shrewd conditioner and his lone runner in this field must be respected.

Danie Toerien’s selections

Race 1: 12 Super Secret, 1 Mon Tresor, 9 Vitosha, 2 Five Fortunes

Race 2: 1 The Brief, 16 Electric Gold, 2 Allaroundtheworld, 6 Parker Getrix

Race 3: 9 Aurora Light, 11 Divine Dynasty, 3 Benguela Cove, 8 Toto

Race 4: 11 Tinder Dry, 10 Secret Is Ours, 6 Flying Grace, 7 Fifth Of July

Race 5: 13 Bella Rosa, 8 Sybaris, 12 Devilish Dancer, 10 Last Song

Race 6: 3 Miss Elegance, 7 Terra Time, 2 Rouge Allure, 1 Ululate

Race 7: 2 Irish Tractor, 1 Mardi Gras, 7 Nordic Rebel, 4 Theory Of Flight

Race 8: 7 Call Me Master, 17 Little Rain, 18 Java House, 9 Silvery Blue

Race 9: 8 Funky Music, 3 Tirpitz, 14 Silly Fella, 2 Bloomington