Theirs not to reason why, theirs but to do and die

“Cavalry charge” is the cliché of choice whenever The Grand Heritage rolls around. A mash-up of 27 horses come barrelling down the Vaal straight from the 1475m start, longshots galore straining to win more money than most of them usually race for. It’s a diverting switch from normal racing.

This year it’ll be less of a spectacle as the cavalry has been reduced to just 20 horses by a bunch of scratchings, most of them defections to the easier-to-win Heritage Consolation race – thanks to a gaping loophole in acceptance rules.

It’ll still be a charge, but the stirring imagery of the Light Brigade at the Battle of Balaklava will be dimmed. (Truth be told, some of those cavalrymen and horses in the Crimea would have been wise to dodge their main event, which was an unmitigated disaster and horrific slaughter due to British military bungling – Alfred, Lord Tennyson’s glorifying poem notwithstanding.)

A smaller array of lancers should make finding the winner of Saturday’s R300,000 Grand Heritage slightly easier, but it’s still a fearsome prospect – not unlike galloping lickety-split straight at some Cossack cannons.

Paul Matchett-trained Bold Jazz had emerged from the pack as the clear favourite at 7-1 on Friday morning, but piles of wonga arriving for Sean Tarry charge Indlamu saw him shoot to the top of the betting boards.

Earlier, the buzz had been for 14-1 shot Silver Tycoon, who was smartly cut to 9-1. The day before, it was Willow Express and Mardi Gras in demand.

Such volatile market action is a big part of the attraction of the Heritage, with horses from various divisions and a wide weight range making the thing an unusual puzzle.

We are told to respect betting plunges, for they might be well informed. Follow the money; but which money?

However, quality and form must still be part of calculations.

Bold Jazz might only have won three races, but he has been competing against some very good horses – at a higher level than here. He must be included.

Silver Tycoon is lightly raced for a four-year-old but already has two wins and two seconds to show for his five outings. And he had excuses for his minor blip, so will surely be in the charge.

Candice Dawson’s Approach Control is another who customarily campaigns at a higher level and you can see him having a say at the sharp end.

A draw bias has not been evident the Vaal straight course of late, but one would imagine the side of the course with the early speed would carry a slight advantage. Most of the trio mentioned above have speed and lower gate numbers.

Sound the bugle and … CHARGE!

SELECTIONS

Vaal Saturday

1: 4 Angelsea, 1 Kiss To Dream, 3 Dame Of Flames, 10 Wikkel Spikkel

2: 3 With Pleasure, 1 Clarkson, 5 Flag Bearer, 2 Tabebuia

3: 1 Just Fabulous, 2 Bella Swann, 5 Damova, 7 Emerald Princess

4: 11 Lady Calavera, 2 Lee Express, 1 Rosaprima, 4 Manaquera

5: 6 Masaaken, 1 Mauby, 3 She’s A Cracker, 10 Western Dance

6: 1 Under Your Spell, 4 Captain Lannister, 3 Master Archie, 7 Team Gold

7: 11 Bold Jazz, 14 Silver Tycoon, 4 Approach Control, 6 Indlamu

8: 7 City By The Sea, 4 Stormy Winter, 12 Spanish Boy, 10 Rock Of Africa

9: 5 Alula’s Star, 7 Warship, 10 Stolen Kiss, 3 Imbewu

10: 4 Buck’s Fizz, 3 Love Lies, 2 Super Agra, 7 Ice Eater

Pick 6: 1,2,4,5,8,11 x 1,3,6 x 1,3,4 x 3,4,6,11,14,19 x 4,7,12 x 5,7 (R1944)

PA: 1 x 1,2,4,11 x 1,6 x 1,4 x 4,11,14 x 4,7 x 5 (R96)

Kenilworth Saturday

Best bet: Race 5 No 1 Ma Black

Value bet: Race 8 No 1 Dog Detachment

Greyville Sunday

Best bet: Race 2 No 9 Winter Melody

Value bet: Race 6 No 8 What A Blast