Jack Milner: Competitive but interesting. That probably best describes Tuesday’s card at the Vaal.
The races are not formless and for studiers, it could be a matter of find the right form lines to follow. If you do, it will result in some very rewarding punting.
Finding a best bet on this card is particularly challenging. There are no obvious stand-out, but that does mean there is a lot of value in every race.
As a result, it could be worth going with a runner from an in-form stable to be ridden by a good jockey and who will suit the conditions. One horse who fits the play is Oscar Wilde, who lines up in Race 7, a MR 88 Handicap over 1400m.
He is trained by Mike de Kock, will be ridden by Gavin Lerena, and exhibited improved form last time when fitted with blinkers. That race was over 1600m and Oscar Wilde was only caught late by War Jewel, to whom he was conceding 3kg. He also cast a shoe during the race. Lerena rode him on that occasion as well.
The four-year-old Dynasty gelding showed early speed with the assistance of the blinkers and the drop to 1400m should be ideal.
He is drawn No 18 which is usually far better than being drawn towards the inside of the track.
This could be the ideal race to take a Quartet as there is a large field and no matter what comes in, it will pay well. The system I like to follow is to double float two runners and take the field with them.
The horse to take with Oscar Wilde is ever-consistent Dark Tide from the Lucky Houdalakis yard. In his last six runs he has won twice and finished second on the four other occasions. S’manga Khumalo, who is another jockey in top form, takes the ride.
There have been a couple of scratchings so with Rooi Tom and Pop Icon out, both reserve runners – Putins Promise and Stop For Nothing – are in. They have form and would need to be included in the Quartet.