Stuart Pettigrew a glimmer of light in eight maidens

Eight Maiden Plate races at a midweek meeting on the Vaal Classic track denotes the peak of the “off season”. But we shouldn’t look down our noses at Tuesday’s fixture as humble non-winners are part of the ecosystem of horse racing – indeed, they are essential to its wellbeing. Even Mowgli was once a maiden.

The fields are all small, with one or two standouts in each, so pay outs are likely to be modest. Conservative wager outlay is the call.

Stuart Pettigrew has been in good form at the Vaal Classic over the past month, posting a 62.5% places-to-runs record – and 25% in the win column, with four from 16.

His three contenders on this card could substantially boost that tally.

Nice Move in the fifth looks his best, tackling her second race after a most promising debut in mid-July. That day the three-year-old chestnut finished second over 1450m on this turf, after being slow away and suffering a snotty nose at the end.

This stretch to 1700m will suit the daughter of Visionaire and the booking of champion jockey Lyle Hewitson suggests a full go.

In the sixth, Pettigrew saddles Joe Harman, a four-year-old gelding who is overdue an exit from the maidens. He will be ridden by Kabelo Matsunyane, who steered him to a third place here last week and will have learnt about any little quirks the fellow might have that are thwarting his rise in the ranks.

The threat is Hewitson’s mount Bit Of Fun, who comes off a short rest after showing some ability in his short career thus far.

Pettigrew’s third charge on the day is unraced Cosmic Rush in Race 3. Being by Wylie Hall, this colt might need a lot more ground than the 1200m he tries here.

SELECTIONS

Race 1:

3 Frontline Fighter, 4 Maraca Ginger, 2 Kaptein Martiens, 1 Lulu’s Boy

Race 2:

5 Abalus, 1 Quick Run, 2 Smelting, 6 Stolen Kiss

Race 3:

5 Guapo, 2 Samuel Salt, 8 Raffanetti, 1 Coming In Hot

Race 4:

9 Icy Night, 5 Hydrangea, 6 Amazon Orchid, 7 Namibsroos

Race 5:

7 Nice Move, 3 Stunning Kitten, 1 Fort Snow, 6 Lady Fair

Race 6:

1 Joe Harman, 3 Bit Of Fun, 6 Secret Link, 2 Mister Blue Sky

Race 7:

8 Ontheverge, 3 Linganomore, 6 Dame Of Flames, 1 Lydia’s Prosper

Race 8:

1 Flinders Range, 5 JP Two Thousand, 6 Leeson, 9 Covermeinsunshine

Pick 6:

1,2,5,8 x 5,6,9 x 1,3,6,7 x 1,3,6 x 8 x 1,5,6 (R432)

PA:

5 x 2,5 x 9 x 3,7 x 1,3 x 8 x 1 (R8)