Punters face a serious challenge on Thursday 31 October when eight races are to be contested at the Vaal.
There are, however, two standout runners worth more than just a small-change bet.
The first is Clear The Path, who lines up in Race 4, a Maiden Plate over 1700m.
Trained by Brett Crawford, the four-year-old Pathfork-gelding has had just three starts to date, improving with each outing.
He was nowhere on debut, finishing sixth of 11 over 1800m, and beaten no less than 10.6-lengths behind easy winner Japanese Maple. That was on 11 July, a week after America’s Independence Day.
He did a lot better in his second start just 12 days later finishing fifth and 3.25-lengths behind Douglas Dragon at the Vaal over 2000m.
Given a three-month break, he returned to action earlier this month and was making good late progress when runner-up behind Dance King on Turffontein’s Inside Track over 1600m.
That was the first time Kabelo Matsunyane was aboard Clear The Path and he clearly got it to quicken nicely when needed.
In Race 5, a MR80 Handicap over 1100m, the Sean Tarry trained King Of Venus can go close to winning.
The Vercingetorix-gelding has been consistent since fitted with blinkers and he was just in need of his last run when finishing third, a mere 1.75-lengths behind What A Tiger.
Jockey Calvin Habib retains the ride. Habib has ridden this gelding four times and was successful on him in December last year.
Clive Robinson
