Florida Keys can unlock Vaal Pick 6 riddle

Competitive races at Thursday’s Vaal Classic meeting will force punters to go wide in selections for most Pick 6 legs.

A banker would come in very handy, and while she’s not a lighthouse-flashing standout, Florida Keys in Race 8 looks worthy of the gamble.

The filly won on debut in June 2020, which was clearly no surprise to her trainer, Sean Tarry, as she started at odds of 11-8. Inherent talent was established, but the youngster found it tough going in stronger company thereafter and seemed to lose confidence – a situation not helped by trying front-running tactics that saw her swamped in the closing stages of races.

However, after a break at the start of this year, Florida Keys has matured, toughened up and started to realise the early promise. She got her second victory earlier this month and then failed by a whisker in her next start.

Tarry has got the daughter of Soft Falling Rain firing and, blessed with a good draw, she should have more than enough guns for her opposition in the FM69 Handicap over 1450m.

Regular pilot Lyle Hewitson was declared to ride Florida Keys, but he is no longer available and, at the time of writing, a replacement hadn’t been named. But Tarry won’t take chances and whoever he hoists into the saddle will be up to the task.

Stable mate Encore is seen by some as a danger to Florida Keys but appears to be a mighty moody mare and can’t be picked with any confidence. Consistent horses such as Louvain and Soul Of Wit are more reliable choices for the placings.

SELECTIONS

Race 1:

3 Joe Harman, 5 Run As One, 2 Brenner Pass, 4 Parker Getrix

Race 2:

4 Olympic Silk, 1 Stunning Kitten, 3 Shikuru, 5 Intercity

Race 3:

3 Epic Dream, 8 Theory Of Flight, 2 Singfonico, 1 Chief Of State

Race 4:

2 Lucy In The Sky, 4 Super Agra, 3 Dockofthebay, 7 The Makwakkers

Race 5:

2 Informative, 7 Allez Les Bleu, Meet The Captain, 4 Iron Mike

Race 6:

7 Rozara, 2 Seemyvision, 8 Florence, 9 Madame Patrice

Race 7:

5 Belle Of Belize, 8 Bella Rosa, 4 Now You See Me, 1 Rouge Allure

Race 8:

5 Florida Keys, 3 Louvain, 4 Soul Of Wit, 9 Silvery Blue

Pick 6:

1,2,3,8 x 1,2,3,4,6,7 x 1,2,4,7,9 x 2,7,8 x 1,3,4,5,8 x 5 (R1800)

PA:

1,4 x 3,8 x 2 x 2,7,9 x 7 x 5,8 x 5 (R24)