Early action stands out at the Vaal

Jack Milner

Once again it could be worth getting in early at the Vaal on Thursday as the best bets look to be coming up in Races 2 to 4 on the nine-race card.

All but one of the day’s event will be run up the straight with the remaining event taking place over 2400m.

Race 2 is a Maiden Juvenile Plate over 1400m and there is a lot to like about Joe Soma-trained Raptor King. The two-year-old New Predator colt was sent off at 5-1 on debut but after losing ground at the start ended up in third place, beaten 2.90 lengths by Sean Tarry-trained Egremont.

The winner will be running in the Grade 1 Gold Medallion over 1200m at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Saturday and there are a few whispers going around about his chances.

The manner of his victory was authoritative and that points to a big run from Soma’s charge.

He should come on with the experience of his first outing and looks the runner to beat.

Keagan de Melo had the ride on debut and he too will be back in the irons.

In Race 3, a Maiden Plate for fillies and mares over 1200m, it is Tarry and De Melo who team up this time with Miss Fantastic. This three-year-old Rafeef filly made her debut over this course and distance in January and found strong betting support, shortening from an opening call of 8-1 to go off at 5-2.

She also lost ground at the start but was never far off the pace and went on to finish third, beaten just 1.10 lengths by Fiery Frolic.

Second-placed Wings Of Kildra went on to place in her next two starts before running out a five-length winner thereafter.

If Miss Fantastic has matured in her 117-days since her last race, she should be the runner beat in this field and looks to be a Place Accumulator banker.

Perhaps the best of the lot comes up in Race 4 where Tony Peter sends out two-year-old Erik The Red colt Sands Of Valhalla in this Maiden Plate over 1200m.

He will be taking on his elders in this event, but this is colt who finished second behind Egremont, beaten 1.90 lengths, and was only run out of it late in the race. He was firm in the betting at 5-1 on debut and he can only improve on that performance.

Sands Of Valhalla could be a great Pick 6 banker because even if he is beaten by one of the unraced runners, as long as he is the first raced runner home he will count in the Pick 6.

Obviously, if Raptor King wins Race 2, it will be a massive pointer to the chances of the Peter runner.

Kyle Strydom rode him on debut and will be back in the irons for this race.

The balance of the card looks tricky so hopefully punters will be able to build up a kitty early in the day.

Jack Milner’s selections

Race 1: 1 Empress Of Peace, 6 Secret Fate, 3 Freestyle Dance, 2 Forest Act

Race 2: 9 Raptor King, 6 Life In Colour, 7 Master Smoker, 3 Disdain

Race 3: 10 Miss Fantastic, 1 Destiny’s Dream, 5 Rendevous In Rio, 4 Miss River Dancer

Race 4: 15 Sands Of Valhalla, 1 Highwayman Harry, 9 Captain Cooper, 16 Shining Star

Race 5: 7 Futurewolff, 6 Corrupt, 8 We Are The Logans, 5 Damova

Race 6: 9 Open Sesame, 2 Woman’s World, 4 Ringa Ringa Roses, 11 Paris Fun

Race 7: 6 Utsaah, 7 Falconfly, 2 Alta Capitana, 1 Princess Ilaria

Race 8: 5 Drivelikeamaster, 7 Chieftain’s Shield, 8 Prince Of Kildare, 14 Shivering Light

Race 9: 8 Pretty Analia, 9 Prophet, 5 Golden Aspen, 1 Bloomington

BEST BET

Race 4: 15 Sands Of Valhalla

VALUE BET

Race 9: 8 Pretty Analia

BEST SWINGER

Race 3 1×10

BIPOT

R64

Leg 1: 9

Leg 2: 1, 10

Leg 3: 15

Leg 4: 5, 6, 7, 8

Leg 5: 2, 4, 9, 11

Leg 6: 6, 7

PLACE ACCUMULATOR

R270

Leg 1: 10

Leg 2: 15

Leg 3: 6, 7, 8

Leg 4: 2, 4, 9

Leg 5: 6, 7

Leg 6: 5, 7, 8

Leg 7: 1, 4, 5, 8, 9

PICK 6

R1600

Leg 1: 15

Leg 2: 5, 6, 7, 8

Leg 3: 2, 3, 4, 9, 11

Leg 4: 6, 7

Leg 5: 1, 5, 7, 8, 14

Leg 6: 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 13, 17

JACKPOT 1

R200

Leg 1: 5, 6, 7, 8

Leg 2: 2, 3, 4, 9, 11

Leg 3: 6, 7

Leg 4: 1, 5, 7, 8, 14

JACKPOT 2

R400

Leg 1: 2, 3, 4, 9, 11

Leg 2: 6, 7

Leg 3: 1, 5, 7, 8, 14

Leg 4: 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 13, 17