Both Cat O’Clock and Komati River look to have big winning chances for trainer Tony Peter at the Vaal on Tuesday in a card where the exotic bets should pay very well.
And also, it has been a while since Sean Tarry-trained Pyromaniac has visited the winner’s enclosure, but it could just be his turn at this meeting.
Peter has a strong in Race 1, a Work Riders’ Maiden Plate run over 1200m. Cat O’Clock’s form is strong. She was third (after an extended break) behind One Smart Cookie who subsequently impressed in a tough handicap. She then turned in another cracking effort when third in a competitive race against males last time.
In that race she wasn’t far off Zanthar who has run well against high-class opposition and the runner-up, Choisaanada, looks a ready-made winner the next time he races. Her two stablemates, Kylie’s Angel and Bellissivar, show good pace and rate with chances, but she has the class to reel them in.
Komati River has been entered in Race 3, a Maiden Juvenile Plate for fillies, also over 1200m. She finished ahead of Cat O’Clock at this track at the start of the month but then had the form turned around when 2.25 lengths behind the latter although things did go wrong so she was not disgraced.
Take Your Place is knocking at the door but keeps finding one better so is one for Swingers and Exactas again. However, respect support for any of the newcomers, as most are well bred. What A Winter filly Francilien is out of a Var mare and could be talented.
It has been almost two years since Pyromaniac won a race. The chestnut Silvano gelding has always been held in high regard by Tarry. Not only did he win his first two starts in good style, but he has also shown the class to run well against the best, his second-place finish in the Grade 2 Gauteng Guineas behind subsequent Grade 1 winner Safe Passage was a cracking effort.
Interestingly, this is his third run at the Vaal. He won his first try and then wasn’t beaten far in the Grand Heritage.
His standside draw may not have suited on the day, so he could relish the return to the track.
He has run in some strong races for a while and the switch to this track against the field he meets in Race 5, a MR 96 Handicap, could just see him put his best foot forward for Tarry who at time of writing is still in the running to win the National Trainers’ Championship.
Ceuta (Race 6) and Viva De Janeiro (Race 8) look worth including in All-To-Come bets. The former is ultra-consistent but could do with a change of tactics while the latter is back to a track that suits and could suddenly surprise.
Clive Robinson
