Trainer Ashley Fortune will saddle a clutch of horses with good chances at the Vaal on Thursday. Picture: Darren Stewart/Gallo Images
Trainer Ashley Fortune gets warmed up for her big Saturday Summer Cup date by saddling a clutch of horses with good chances at the Vaal on Thursday.
Fortune’s Cup runner Majestic Mozart is the outside fancy of many a smart pundit following a very impressive debut win for the stable a fortnight ago.
The Vaal handler would like nothing more than to go to Turffontein on a winning high, fresh from the fight of a 10-race programme on the riverside.
West Point in Race 4 looks one of Fortune’s bright prospects on the day and has been installed as 33-10 favourite in ante-post betting.
Transferred north from KwaZulu-Natal by owner Mario Ferreira, West Point stepped out for his new yard after a six-month break to show marked improvement and run second over this course and distance.
Fortune has another good opportunity in Race 6, an MR80 Handicap, with Funky Music, a consistent fellow who has been getting tantalisingly close to the winner’s circle in his six efforts since his last win in June.
This could be Funky Music’s day to boogie.
In Race 7, a couple of Fortune’s rising stars clash and will be the backbone of Exactas, Trifectas and Quartets.
Bard Of Avon and Captain Lannister were a laudable second and fourth to Ambiorix in the Gold Medallion at Scottsville in early June.
They are both on the up-and-up and the aim will be to advance their credentials in this 1200m Graduation Plate.
However, threat lurks in the form of Johan Janse van Vuuren’s Quantum King, who hold a somewhat similar profile.
SELECTIONS
1: 15 What A Honey, 7 Insatiable, 2 Moonstrike, 1 Quick Run
2: 6 Maradiva, 14 Sonnenstrahl, 17 Rio Supremo, 4 Vegas Hi Rise
3: 2 Arveni Warrior, 4 Motor City Hitman, 14 Soweto Spina, 5 Cross Examiner
4: 3 West Point, 5 Captain Of Grit, 1 Wildeye, 2 Gimme A Dream
5: 10 Song Of Liberty, 7 Kizzmekia, 9 Red Carpet Girl, 2 Petunia
6: 6 Funky Music, 1 Fromheretoeternity, 9 Into The Future, 3 Cleveland
7: 5 Bard Of Avon, 6 Captain Lannister, 2 Quantum King, 3 Dockofthebay
8: 1 Zimbaba, 7 Crimson Causeway, 2 Bat Out Of Hell, 5 Cavivar
9: 2 Eskimo Pie, 10 Fsquadron, 1 Infinite Wonder, 5 Twin Turbo
10: 12 Midnight Badger, 15 Corvette Captain, 14 Edward Longshanks, 16 Life Goes On
Pick 6: 1,3,5 x 2,7,9,10,18 x 1,6,9 x 2,5,6 x 1,2,7 x 1,2,5,8,10 (R2025)
PA: 2 x 3,5 x 7,9,10 x 1,6 x 5 x 1,2,7 x 2,10 (R72)
ALSO READ: Ashley seeking better Fortune this season
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