Jack Milner: Trainer Paul Peter could finish Monday’s Vaal meeting with a flourish and claim the last three races on the card.
The best of these looks to be Sergei in Race 6, a MR 66 Handicap over 1500m. This is not the strongest of fields and while he is no superstar, this four-year-old stands out in a field of hard knockers.
He proved no match for Mike de Kock-trained Bureau Des Legende last time over 1600m on the Classic track but this does look a weaker field and he should enjoy the drop to 1500m.
He finished 2.25 lengths clear of third-placed Flinders Range, and the son of Soft Falling Rain should have the measure of this field.
In Race 7, a Graduation Plate over 1200m, Peter sends out Smorgasbord. He is highly regarded by the yard and there I something special about him. The son of Twice Over is a half-brother to Afraad but he still runs around a lot and has much to learn about racing.
This return to 1200m could be a touch on the short side and although he is meeting a decent enough field, he looks to have the class needed to see him through.
Fillies Zimbaba and Lemon Delight top the best-weighted column but the former might need further and has not raced since finishing eighth in the Grade 1 Garden Province Stakes at Greyville on 3 July while Lemon Delight has her first run on the Highveld having moved up from the Western Cape and could need the outing as well.
Frontline Fighter lines up in Race 8, a Classified Stakes over 1000m, and is another Peter runner in good form. He improved with gelding and followed his maiden win with a one-length second behind Bronco Billy, despite hanging badly.
He can be his own worst enemy but hopefully Warren Kennedy, who will be riding all three horses for Peter, can keep him straight enough on this occasion.
The main threat looks to be Who’s That Star and the pair look to be the best Swinger on the card.
Jack Milner’s selections
Race 1: 6 Queen Theodora, 3 Dame Of Flames, 9 Gift Of Giving, 4 Bella Swan
Race 2: 9 King Of Venus, 6 Duke Of Rain, 1 Ocean Warrior, 2 Flashy Apache