Get on early at Vaal

There look to be some excellent bets early on today’s Vaal card and it could pay to take advantage of the good bets in order to build a nice kitty for the Pick 6 which gets tougher as the meeting progresses.

Race 1 is a work riders’ event over 2000m and Goodman Dadamasi could get punters off to a flying start aboard Kellie Firth for the Geoff Woodruff yard. The three-year-old daughter of Go Deputy raced over 2200m at Turffontein on the Inside track last time and there was quite a bit of talk for her. Unfortunately she was taking on Zafira and although looking dangerous 400m from home, Kellie Firth had no answer to the finishing speed of the Weiho Marwing-trained runner and she could only manage second spot, beaten 3.25 lengths.

Zafira proved the ability of that run when she came out and won her next start over 2450m at Turffontein last Saturday. Considering Cup Bearer, who looks the main threat to Kellie Firth, ran 15.75 lengths behind Zafira, the Woodruff runner looks to be the best bet on the card.

Sean Tarry is unstoppable at the moment and it takes a brave bettor to go against one of his fancied horses right now. In Race 2 he saddles Tiger’s Touch in a FM 85 over 1200m and she will take a lot of catching. The Australian-bred daughter of Where’s That Tiger took off late to beat Lady Al by 1.20 lengths. That was her second run after a layoff and she can only get better for the run.

Lady Al is 2kg better off which should bring them very close together but she has run twice since then and did not really show improvement, although there were excuses of sorts in both races.

Gavin Lerena rode Tiger’s Touch to victory last time and he is aboard Tarry’s charge again.

Race 3 looks to be a three-cornered contest between For Show Me Angel, Miss Wales and Uproar and taking Swingers and Trifectas looks the way to go. Piere Strydom rides For Show Me Angel who did well when a 2.50-length third to Nitrogen and looks the runner to beat.

Miss Wales is from the Geoff Woodruff stable and has run fifth in her two starts to date. The daughter of Trippi ran behind Silvery Dream last time over 1450m on the Inside track but might prefer this straight 1400m. Lerena rides.

Uproar is from the Tarry yard and is expected to improve on her first start when an eight-length third behind Soul Of Spain. She has S’manga Khumalo in the irons.

Hopefully with an All To Come bet in the first two and your Singers and Trifectas in Race 3, there should be sufficient profit in the pot to take a decent Pick 6.