Dalley to avenge loss

Race 5 on the Vaal Classic track tomorrow is almost a repeat of a race at Turffontein on Saturday 14 October in which AP’s Lily beat dead-heaters Dalley and Eversilver by 0.40 lengths with Cavalleria another 3.25 lengths back in fourth and Cranberry Crush in fifth, beaten 3.90 lengths.

That race was over 2600m on the inside track but this time all five will line up again in a MR 68 Handicap for fillies and mares – over 2400m. Dalley and Eversilver are now 0.5kg better off with AP’s Lily which should bring them closer. Cavalleria is 1kg better off with AP’s Lily and has a 0.5kg pull with Dalley and Eversilver but that should not be enough to turn the tables.
At the weights, however, Cranberry Crush has come out best of all as she is 3kg better off with AP’s Lily and 2.5kg better off with the dead-heaters.
What could be central to the outcome of this race is the distance.

Dalley was well supported to win that last race, going off at 12-10. She hit the front 300m form home and looked to have the race under control but then the wobble started and she got caught close home. Her record over 2400m, however, is flawless – two runs, two wins – and that should give her the edge this time.
Anthony Delpech makes the trip up from Durban to ride her so that is in her favour as well. She does have to overcome No 13 draw but over this distance it should not be that much of a concern.

Piere Strydom is back to ride AP’s Lily for Tyrone Zackey. He rode her to victory last time, the first occasion he got to ride the mare, and he managed to get her home despite having to deal with some interference along the way.

AP’s Lily does have the advantage of having run on the Classic track and finished a close-up fourth, although that was over 2000m.
One of the Mike de Kocktrained “hotties” Mawsoof comes out for his second run in Race 7 tomorrow,. Fortunately 1000m on the Classic track is up the straight so No 15 draw could be ideal for this son of Trippi. He coasted home by 4.75 lengths from Ragnarok just 10 days back and does not meet a particularly strong field. He is worth banking in all bets.