Battlelines are drawn at Vaal Classic

Battleground is turning into a very decent stayer and he can notch up a third successive victory over a long distance when he lines up in Race 5 on Thursday, a MR 80 Handicap over 2400m on the Vaal Classic track.

This four-year-old gelding has taken a little while to come to hand although he did win his maiden race on his fifth visit to the racetrack. But he has only come into his own in the last few months and so far is unbeaten in both his runs this season.

Two runs back he completed his second victory, over 2400m at Turffontein on the Standside track, and followed that up with another victory over 2600m on the Turffontein Inside track. He has not yet been tested at a higher level but one gets the impression trainer Lucky Houdalakis could well be aiming Battleground at some of the Graded races for stayers during the season.

He shrewdly has not rushed his charge and has given him some time to grow into the role. Battleground does carry 62kg and will have to give weight all round but that should not stop him. Craig Zackey takes the ride.

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The main threat is likely to come from American Grayson who two starts back finished a 1.25-length third behind Battleground in that race over 2600m. Trainer Tyrone Zackey’s runner is now 1.5kg better off and on paper, over this distance that should be enough to turn the result around.

However, Battleground looked to have plenty of fuel left in the tank and he was running away from his opposition when jockey Richard Fourie punched him into the lead late in that race. Muzi Yeni takes the ride on American Grayson for the first time.

Absolute Value finished behind Battleground in his last two starts and also is weighted to reverse the result. However, two runs back Fabian Habib’s runner finished a 2.75-lengths second and was weighted to turn the tables in his next start but could not manage it, so he looks unlikely to do it on this occasion.

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