Raven's scratching opens up Vaal topliner

Jack Milner

Raven Black did look to be one of the standout bets on today's Vaal card but the Brett Crawford-trained runner has been withdrawn for Race 7, a Middle Stakes over 1200m on the Classic track.

That has opened the door somewhat and the scratching has paved the way for Aussenkehr, Back In Business and Cosmic Star to fight it out.

Aussenkehr is trained by Tony Peter and has performed superbly since moving up to Joburg. He has notched up four wins in that period and has only once finished out of the top three, and that was in the Listed Golden Loom Handicap when fifth behind Dyce.

Joe Soma-trained Back In Business is certainly no slouch and he has won three of his four starts. His lone defeat came against Dave The King in a Graduation Plate where he had to meet the incredibly well weighted winner at level weights.

The son of William Longsword bounced back to win his next start.

Johan Janse van Vuuren trains Cosmic Star and this gelding's last win was over this course and distance. That was back in May but he looked pretty sharp when a 0.20-length second behind Sea Anemone last time out.

Jack Milner’s selections

Race 1: 4 Courageous, 11 Aurum Damsel, 12 Kakiebos, 1 Freedom Square

Race 2: 2 Remains Of The Day, 1 Policy Of Truth, 3 Eiger Sanction, 12 Plenilunio

Race 3: 7 Outer Dimension, 5 Azaleas For All, 1 The Work Of Life, 11 Forgiveness

Race 4: 1 Ideal Future, 4 Explosive Bond, 8 Lady Zultanite, 10 Skyfull

Race 5: 2 Futurewolff, 4 Sparkling Jubilee, 1 Jury's Out, 11 Della's Sword

Race 6: 2 House Of Romanov, 8 Kudzu, 4 Eiffel Tower, 3 Jordan

Race 7: 1 Aussenkehr, 5 Back In Business, 8 Cosmic Star, 3 Fire 'N Flames

Race 8: 1 Chasing Happiness, 2 There She Goes, 10 Dancing Arabian, 7 Mia Fiore

BEST BET

Race 8 No 1 Chasing Happiness

VALUE BET

Race 5 No 2 Futurewolff

BEST SWINGER

Race 8 1x2

BIPOT

R288

Leg 1: 4, 11, 12

Leg 2: 1, 2, 3

Leg 3: 5, 7

Leg 4: 1, 4

Leg 5: 1, 2, 4, 11

Leg 6: 2, 8

PLACE ACCUMULATOR

R288

Leg 1: 1, 2, 3

Leg 2: 5, 7

Leg 3: 1, 4

Leg 4: 1, 2, 4

Leg 5: 2, 8

Leg 6: 1, 5

Leg 7: 1

PICK 6

R900

Leg 1: 1, 5, 6, 7, 11

Leg 2: 1, 4, 8

Leg 3: 1, 2, 3, 4, 11

Leg 4: 2, 3, 4, 8

Leg 5: 1, 5, 8

Leg 6: 1

JACKPOT 1

R180

Leg 1: 1, 4, 8

Leg 2: 1, 2, 3, 4, 11

Leg 3: 2, 3, 4, 8

Leg 4: 1, 5, 8

JACKPOT 2

R60

Leg 1: 1, 2, 3, 4, 11

Leg 2: 2, 3, 4, 8

Leg 3: 1, 5, 8

Leg 4: 1