The Vaal will host the final South African meeting of 2024 on Tuesday 31 December and trainer Lucky Houdalakis can close off what has been a really good one for him in style.
Stable star Dyce has picked up some good wins and generally most of his runners have done well this year, including the filly Francilien.
The What A Winter filly was runner-up on debut and then went on to win two good races. The three-year-old filly has finished fourth twice since then but in Race 6, a MR 80 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1200m, she drops back to the course and distance where she had those two wins.
First choice jockey for the stable, jockey Craig Zackey, is aboard. Zackey has been at the top of his game of late and can guide the filly home.
It is a very tough card for punters but Tiger Storm will go close to winning Race 2 and Hat’s Queen should be very competitive in Race 4.
Tiger Storm, who lines up in a Maiden Plate over 1000m, showed signs of inexperience in his first few starts but has got the knack of things lately and was runner-up last time out
The Fabian Habib-trained gelding can go one better this time with Kabelo Matsunyane in the irons.
Tony Peter trainer Hat’s Queen is consistent and has improved of late. She only found improving Mount Etna a bit too good for her last time out and in a competitive race she might score.
She has the benefit of pole position draw when she lines up in this MR 89 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1800m.
Clive Robinson
