The Doug Campbell trained Valli Gal could be the value bet of the day with the in form rider Rachel Venniker aboard in Race 2. The yard have two runners on the day and both have lively chances.
Valli Gal ran on strongly with the blinkers in her last start on the Turf. She has raced on Poly before and it must be said she has run behind some decent individuals. It could be said she was slightly unlucky in her last run when she had to switch into the closing stages to get clear running.
Although she has had many chances at cracking her maiden today could be the day. She has a reasonably good barrier draw, a top rider aboard and will carry 57.5kgs on her back. If there is a decent enough tempo she will be running on strongly and should just about win.
Doug Campbell and Rachel Venniker will team up once again in Race 4 with Baby On Board. She won a very gutsy race in her last start beating Shaken Not Stirred who came out to run well recently.
She does have a tough draw to negotiate but if the speed is on, she will be flying at them late. She is the highest rated horse in the race so she will have to shoulder 60kgs minus the 1.5kg claim which will be highly beneficial.
There are dangers in the race, the main rival looks to be Just Virginia for trainer Garth Puller and jockey Richard Fourie. She loves to race handy and is very capable of going start to finish if she’s allowed to do things her own way.
Hope Is Power should go very close to winning Race 3 for trainer Gareth Van Zyl. He travelled outside the leader for majority of the race in his last start and at one stage looked beaten, he seemed to pick himself up and find another gear to win courageously under a driving ride from Kobeli Lihaba who will ride him once again.
Flying The Star is holding consistent form and another career victory isn’t far for this 6-year-old mare trained by Michael Roberts in Race 6. Rachel Venniker will take a valuable 1.5kgs off her back, she ran exceptionally well in her last start and if repeating that type of effort here she will trouble the judge.
This is a very open looking contest and there are a few with winning chances. Attention is drawn to the Garth Puller trained Blush Of Dawn with the eye-catching jockey booking of Richard Fourie. She is very capable of winning here and looks sure to make the frame so throw her into all bets.
Devonne Govender
