Plate to ‘Bomb’ at the Vaal

Jack Milner

Once again, a surfeit of withdrawals have turned what appeared to be an Alluring Temptress into a Plain Jane.

Race 4 at the Vaal on Thursday, a Graduation Plate for fillies and mares over 1200m, comprised some highly promising three-year-old fillies and the clash between the likes of Chasing Happiness, Storm Player, Runway Bomb and No Filter looked to be the highlight of the meeting. However, Chasing Happiness was pulled out on Wednesday by trainer Johan Janse van Vuuren as she was found to be coughing while trainer Toney Peter felt Storm Player, who had run last Thursday, needed more time to recover from her effort.

Reducing the race even further, Fanie Bronkhorst-trained Striking Angel was given permission to be withdrawn by the stipendiary stewards as she had made the final field for Saturday’s Bloodstock SA Sales Cup for fillies where she will take on unbeaten Mrs Geritarix. But this is a R400,000 race and even place money makes it a more enticing option.

That leaves just seven runners in Thursday’s field and it does look as if Runway Bomb and No Filter should fight it out while Sean Tarry’s charge, American Graffiti, the runner most likely top upset the apple cart.

Peter has engaged Muzi Yeni, who was aboard last time, for the ride on Runway Bomb. She will be coming back in distance as her last start was over 1450m, but it should not be too much of an issue.

David Nieuwenhuizen-trained No Filter comes in as the best weighted runner, even before the scratchings, as she has feature-race experience. Calvin Habib takes the ride.

American Graffiti finished just 0.70 lengths behind No Filter in The Debutante over 1200m at Hollywoodbets Greyville but was drawn No 12 so there is little to choose between the pair this time.

JP van der Merwe takes the ride.

Jack Milner’s selections

Race 1: 1 Solo Diva, 8 Mount Etna, 2 All Rise, 4 Bomber Grigio

Race 2: 12 Peak Predator, 10 Lets Play Poker, 16 Shampimpi, 11 Officer In Command

Race 3: 11 Gocekwithlove, 10 Flying Diamond, 9 Cat O'Clock, 14 Reunion Hotspot

Race 4: 9 Runway Bomb, 5 No Filter, 3 American Graffiti, 1 Time For Charity

Race 5: 1 Back To Basics, 8 Whorly Whorly, 6 Dungeons, 3 Fully Loaded

Race 6: 1 Special Charm, 2 Princess Kesh, 7 Burmese Tiara, 8 Ideal Future

Race 7: 8 Explosive Bond, 2 I Am Regal, 1 Soldier's Eye, 5 Quiet Rebellion

Race 8: 3 Ziyasha, 8 Brosnan, 14 Happy Analia, 9 Pendragon

BEST BET

Race 1 No 1 Solo Diva

VALUE BET

Race 7 No 8 Explosive Bond

BEST SWINGER

Race 1 1x8

BIPOT

R192

Leg 1: 1

Leg 2: 10, 11, 12, 16

Leg 3: 11

Leg 4: 3, 5, 9

Leg 5: 1, 3, 6, 8

Leg 6: 1, 2, 7, 8

PLACE ACCUMULATOR

R243

Leg 1: 10, 12, 16

Leg 2: 11

Leg 3: 5, 9

Leg 4: 1, 6, 8

Leg 5: 1, 2, 7

Leg 6: 1, 2, 8

Leg 7: 3, 8, 14

PICK 6

R1152

Leg 1: 11

Leg 2: 3, 5, 9

Leg 3: 1, 3, 6, 8

Leg 4: 1, 2, 7, 8

Leg 5: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8

Leg 6: 3, 8, 9, 14

JACKPOT 1

R288

Leg 1: 3, 5, 9

Leg 2: 1, 3, 6, 8

Leg 3: 1, 2, 7, 8

Leg 4: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8

JACKPOT 2

R384

Leg 1: 1, 3, 6, 8

Leg 2: 1, 2, 7, 8

Leg 3: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8

Leg 4: 3, 8, 9, 14