Trainer Lucky Houdalakis looks to have two well-placed runners in Wild Intent and Francilien in action at the Vaal on Tuesday. The pair are improving nicely and rate big chances in their respective heats.
There are more decent looking betting opportunities on the card.
After winning his 1200m debut in good fashion Wild Intent was fancied and backed into favourite when the then young three-year-old was upped in trip and class. It was a tall order, but he showed fair potential when running fourth in a race over 1400m that is now proving to be a strong form line.
Captainofthegreen and Happy Mo came out to win competitive assignments straight after. The Gimmethegreenlight gelding was then shown the turn and he again made good progress to finish third behind useful Johan Janse van Vuuren inmate Chestnut Bomber.
In Race 4, a MR 81 Handicap over 1700m, he looks to be in the right level of competition. Hard knockers Safe Space and Luthuli are in good form, but the pair look to lack the inherent potential of the Houdalakis-trained bay gelding.
Marco van Rensburg takes the ride once again.
Francilien gives the impression she will need further in time to come. Not only is she related to Oaks winners but she also relaxes in her races. Still, she is by What A Winter out of a Var mare and Houdalakis has kept her to sprints for now.
She took over late in her last start and while she takes a leap in class in Race 7, a MR 93 Handicap over 1200m, she could settle, even in a faster run affair.
Interestingly, leading rider Gavin Lerena doesn’t ride her this time. He gets a leg over similarly named Francine who earlier in her career showed fair promise. Instead, she gets the services of Girish Samo-Burthia who brings the big benefit of claiming 4kg. That means she will carry just 50.5kg and as a result she should be difficult to get past.
She rates a banker in all bets.
Speaking of which, one of the best bets to start the day could be the Exacta in Race 1 where Sonic Jet and Saudi Sweep look set to fight it out on form.
The pair have also drawn alongside down the inside of the track. The opener at a Vaal meeting is also the race most horseplayers judge where the best going is.
If the outside is favoured on the day, it could pay to go with Tony Peter’s horse in Race 8. Blizzard Snow, who was second to promising males Musical Score and His Lordship respectively in her first two starts start before a fluent maiden win. She has drawn in gate No 8 out of 11 and with her pace she could be hard to catch from there.
Clive Robinson
