Form bankers at Vaal

The Pick 6 at today’s Vaal meeting is made up of six lower-level handicaps, three of them for fillies and mares. Those races often prove to be tricky for bettors but on this occasion there are a group of horses in each race who stand out.

So one can take a chance and go for those runners or, if you are looking for a massive payout, one can look beyond them.

In Race 4, a MR 66 Handicap over 2000m on the Inside track. Gentleman Only, Aza Arrow and Houston Rocket stand out. One could probably get away with just the first two but Houston Rocket failed badly over 2400m last time but his previous run over 2000m was a 2.20-length sixth behind Barbados Cruise.

Others to consider are Tobesuretobesure and I’m A Raptor.

Mike and Adam Azzie hold the strongest hand in Race 5 with Inn A Million. On form he will take a power of beating in this MR 64 Handicap over 2000m and could be considered a possible banker. If one looks beyond Gavin Lerena’s mount then two horses near the bottom of the weights – Champions Cup and Eastern Pearl could provide back up. Eastern Pearl is weighted to beat Inn A Million on their 2 August run over the course and distance but Corne Spies’ charge failed last time.

Seeking Gold is another who looks a possible banker in Race 6, a FM 66 Handicap over 2400m – If she stays!

She did try 2600m at Turffontein but pulled hard and faded. She seems to have come on since then and will be having her third start after a layoff and has Mark Khan in the irons. The dangers could be stablemate Prada Princess with Lerena up, Blue Sage and Cranberry Crush.

Race 7 is a FM 76 Handicap over 1700m and there was a lot to like about the manner Return To Power won over the course and distance two runs back. Her time was good and she followed up with a decent run over 2000m when fading late to end up a 3.60-length fifth behind AP’s Lily.

Back over 1700m with Callan Murray up the Azzie-trained runner is worth following.

The back-up runners are Turn Back Time, Jo Mambo and Snowdonia.

Barbados Cruise in Race 8 is going for a fourth consecutive victory but he is dropping to 1700m. That could count against him but Weichong Marwing takes the ride and could win this MR 66 Handicap. The dangers are Sputnik Plain, who ran against stronger last time, Jackman, Arlington and Post Grad.

Race 9 is all about Curbstone Shuffle. St John Gray’s runner won well on debut and looks decent. This daughter of Mogok could be a banker but if you look beyond her, this race is a nightmare.