Danie Toerien
More than a year has passed since Vars Vicky last won a race, but Stuart Pettigrew’s charge could finally score his long overdue sixth career victory on Tuesday at the Vaal.
His last victory came in March last year in the Grade 2 Senor Santa Stakes over 1160m at Turffontein.
Vars Vicky went into that race with a Merit Rating of 106 but was penalised six points for the win. His rating was further increased to 115 after his next outing when running second in the Grade 3 Byerley Turk over 1400m at Scottsville.
Eight races later, which produced just three place finishes, Vars Vicky is back down to a rating of 106.
This son of Var lines up in Race 6, a Pinnacle Stakes over 1200m, with Diego De Gouveia in the saddle.
Interestingly, Pettigrew (pictured above) has announced that Vars Vicky will be fitted with blinkers for the first time in his career, and that could just be what he needs to get back to winning ways.
There are challengers aplenty, notably William Robertson trained by Corne Spies, Bartholdi from the yard of Mike and Adam Azzie, and the Sean Tarry-trained Eden Roc.
Quoted at 8-1 by World Sports Betting, Vars Vicky looks the value bet of the day.
Danie Toerien’s selections:
Race 1: 2 Climate Control, 10 Kill Shot, 7 Star Coin, 3 Future Pearl, 4 Giocatore, 6 Song To The Sun.
Race 2: 8 Treaty, 4 Emirate Gina, 10 Trentino, 6 Simple Simple, 1 A Colourful Past, 7 Summerland.
Race 3: 6 San Quintin, 8 Tirpitz, 4 Captain Freedom, 1 Not Your Call, 9 Luthuli, 5 Goom Goom.
Race 4: 15 Whatyouwaitingfor, 2 Rockingthetimeaway, 3 La Banquiere, 12 Act Of Mercy, 1 Beltway, 14 Super Secret.
Race 5: 1 Michelin Star, 2 Stolen Thunder, 9 Ships At Sea, 7 Poldark, 8 The First Viceroy, 3 Rishaan's Boy.
Race 6: 5 Vars Vicky, 9 William Robertson, 4 Bartholdi, 6 Captain Oupie, 7 Mardi Gras.
Race 7: 3 Special Variety, 9 Spiritofthegroove, 12 Money Fighter, 2 Tambora, 11 Desert Crusader, 8 Abalus.
Race 8: 3 Into The Future, 1 Global Ransom, 12 English Primrose, 10 Red Carpet Girl, 4 Tiger In The Sun, 8 Princess Sabrina.
BIPOT (R36)
Leg 1: 2, 10
Leg 2: 4, 8, 10
Leg 3: 6, 8
Leg 4: 15
Leg 5: 1
Leg 6: 4, 5, 9
PLACE ACCUMULATOR (R96)
Leg 1: 4, 8, 10
Leg 2: 6, 8
Leg 3: 15
Leg 4: 1
Leg 5: 5, 9
Leg 6: 3, 9
Leg 7: 1, 3, 10, 12
PICK 6 (R270)
Leg 1: 6, 8
Leg 2: 15
Leg 3: 1, 2, 9
Leg 4: 4, 5, 9
Leg 5: 3, 9, 12
Leg 6: 1, 3, 4, 10, 12
JACKPOT 1 (R27)
Leg 1: 15
Leg 2: 1, 2, 9
Leg 3: 4, 5, 9
Leg 4: 3, 9, 12
JACKPOT 2 (R135)
Leg 1: 1, 2, 9
Leg 2: 4, 5, 9
Leg 3: 3, 9, 12
Leg 4: 1, 3, 4, 10, 12