Chambers to get his chop over 1200m on Vaal sand

In fact, in 20 starts over the distance St John Gray’s runner has also run six places. On the sand track that record is even be­tter. It reads four starts, two wins and two places. So when the seven-year-old son of Announce makes his fitƒh appearance over 1200m on the Vaal sand tomorrow in a M R 80 Handicap, one needs to show respect.

His last run over the course and distance was in February and Where’s My Chop ran out a 2.75-length winner over Beautiful Dawn. He followed that u p with a 3.75-length third behind Men And Mountains over 1000m and then a two-length second to Baron Zemo over 1450m, all at the sand track. Gray then rested the gelding from 9 May until 5 August and he ran well enough on his comeback, finishing a 4 .75-length third t o Velddriƒer over 1450m.

He w ill carry just 5 6kg and jockey Fanie Chambers will be content to jump from barrier No 7 a s Where’s My Chop likes to come from off the pace and from that draw he will be out of the kickback. He should easily be a Place Accumulator banker and as some of the other races look challenging,
Gray’s runner could even be a banker in the Pick 6.

Once one looks past Where’s My Chop the race looks wide open. Based on his run behind Dennis The Menace over the course and distance in May, there is a lot to like about Hang Fire. He holds Hallowed on that run and is also quite close to Escape Clause on the Yukon Gold run in July. Escape Clause did finish 1 .25 lengths ahead and thanks to the 4kg claimed by apprentice Collen Thabana, he is also 3.5kg be­tter off.

However, Escape Clause w ill have to jump from draw No 10 while Hang Fire is well positioned at No 3 . In addition, Brett­ Webber’s charge will have the services of champion jockey Piere Strydom. Trainer Wallace Tolmay appears to have found the magic touch for Bareback. The six-year-old
looked average until he surprised with a 4.25-length victory over Authenticated.

Last time out he came within one stride of beating Maji Moto over 1000m and although held by both Where’s My Chop and Hang Fire, Bareback must have at least Place prospects.