Naarah favoured at Vaal

Jack Milner

A high-class Pinnacle Stakes, which would be worthy of a Graded race, over 1000m, heads up Thursday’s card on the Vaal Classic track.

Had this race been run six weeks ago, champion trainer Paul Peter would have had four of the 10 runners and most of them would have been near the top of the bookmakers’ boards. They include Grade 1 Computaform Sprint winner Master Archie, Grade 2 Post Merchants champion Val D’Orcia, six-time winner Godswood and Kwite A Trip.

However, the four horses will be making their debuts in Race 6 for Mike and Adam Azzie, Johan Janse van Vuuren, Barend Botes and Yolande Vosloo and Corne Spies respectively.

As is so often the case in these plate races fillies, favoured by the sex allowance, come in as the best weighted runners. In fact, four out of five of the top rated runners are fillies, the only male splitting them being Master Archie.

In this case fillies could hold sway with Roy Magner-trained Naarah getting the nod. The four-year-old daughter of Vercingetorix is a 1000m specialist and has the speed to lead all the way. She comes into this race with just 50kg on her back and that could make apprentice Kaidan Brewer’s job a lot easier.

In her last start Naarah finished a 0.75-length second to Godswood but she is now 1.5kg better off and should reverse the placings.

Godswood, another 1000m specialist, could chase her home. Muzi Yeni rode him to victory in his last two starts and is back on board.  

Sound Of Warning is the best weighted runner but she has not raced since 2 July and could just need the run. However, if close to best she has to be a massive runner so it would be advisable to include Sean Tarry’s charge in all of one’s bets.

The Azzies have engaged Piere Strydom to ride Master Archie and if the grey colt has adjusted to his new surroundings, the Computaform Sprint winner must come into the reckoning. He is another who has produced his best form over the minimum trip.    

Jack Milner’s selections

Race 1: 1 Futurewolff, 8 Stroke Of Mercy, 11 Sparkling Jubilee, 6 Jet Dynasty

Race 2: 7 Pacific Express, 6 Liverpool Legend, 3 Mirren, 1 Sir Tallin

Race 3: 10 Otto Luyken, 6 King Of Rome, 1 Big Guy, 8 Future Pearl

Race 4: 5 Wolffs World, 1 Ablaan, 3 Captain Of Grit, 8 Mcebisi

Race 5: 2 High Moon, 3 Secret Giver, 7 Silly Fella, 4 San Quintin

Race 6: 10 Naarah, 4 Godswood, 5 Sound Of Warning, 1 Master Archie

Race 7: 9 Good Queen Bess, 4 Emerald Princess, 2 Midnight Gem, 1 Lucy In The Sky

Race 8: 1 Rosenwind, 3 Aga Heat, 2 Princess Ozma, 6 United Express

Race 9: 9 Back To Basics, 1 Great Times, 3 Trust The Fire, 2 Irrevocable Dream

BEST BET

Race 3 No 10 Otto Luyken

VALUE BET

Race 4 No 5 Wolff’s World

BEST SWINGER

Race 5 2x3

BIPOT

R256

Leg 1: 1, 3, 6, 7

Leg 2: 10

Leg 3: 1, 3, 5, 8

Leg 4: 2, 3

Leg 5: 1, 4, 5, 10

Leg 6: 4, 9

PLACE ACCUMULATOR

R162

Leg 1: 10

Leg 2: 1, 3, 5

Leg 3: 2

Leg 4: 4, 5, 10

Leg 5: 4, 9

Leg 6: 1, 2, 3

Leg 7: 1, 3, 9

PICK 6

R1600

Leg 1: 1, 3, 5, 8

Leg 2: 2, 3

Leg 3: 1, 2, 4, 5, 10

Leg 4: 4, 9

Leg 5: 1, 2, 3, 5

Leg 6: 1, 2, 3, 4, 9

JACKPOT 1

R80

Leg 1: 2, 3

Leg 2: 1, 2, 4, 5, 10

Leg 3: 4, 9

Leg 4: 1, 2, 3, 5

JACKPOT 2

R200

Leg 1: 1, 2, 4, 5, 10

Leg 2: 4, 9

Leg 3: 1, 2, 3, 5

Leg 4: 1, 2, 3, 4, 9