Trainer Fabian Habib has already been called up to the podium for an interview twice since the start of the new year (at the time of writing) after taking the honours with Wings Within Me and Fully Loaded on what is called the second new year in South Africa.
On Thursday 11 January he should be making another two televised appearances as two of his four runners look to be the ones to beat at the Vaal Classic course.
In Race 4, a MR84 Handicap over 2400m, six-time winner Absolute Value will be aiming to complete a hat-trick.
This five-year-old gelding has been on an absolutely phenomenal run, finishing in the top four on 12 occasions from 14 outings in the last year. That does include four wins.
In that time, his merit raring has progressively increased from 56 to the current 87. This son of Master Of My Fate doesn’t just seem to improve with age, he also improves with every rating increase.
With two victories and a runner-up finish from his three runs over the course and distance, it’s very difficult to find any chink in his armour. Perfectly suited to the distance, and jumping from gate 1, the only threat could come from the 61.5kg on his back.
It’s a dead weight over the distance and that might just open the door for the Lucky Houdalakis-trained Battleground. However, with 60.5kg on his back, Battleground will also carry a heavy burden.
In Race 6, a FM90 Handicap over 1000m, Habib’s Ice Star has a number of factors working in her favour.
Firstly, this daughter of William Longsword has the benefit of 4kg claiming Trent Mayhew in the saddle. As the highest rated runner in the field, that 4kg does give her the most competitive advantage.
On top of that, Habib has decided to fit her with blinkers for the first time. The headgear might just make all the difference to keep her concentrating all the way to the line.
Her last ten outings have produced seven top-three finishes, but just a solitary victory. She obviously has the potential, and if the headgear provides just the slightest of improvement, a third career win is on the cards.
Sandwiched between Habib’s two best runners, it won’t surprise to see Houdalakis taking the honours in Race 5 with Universal Love.
This daughter of Ideal World has finished in the top four in her last seven outings and is overdue a second career win. She was heavily backed last time out and should make amends. Lining up in a FM75 Handicap over 2000m, she will have no excuses as she will also be sporting blinkers for the first time.
Clive Robinson
