There appear to be two good bankers on tomorrow’s Vaal card where racing takes place on the Classic track.
The first comes up in Race 2 where Mike de Kock saddles Masaaqaat in a Maiden Juvenile Plate for fillies over 1000m.
This New Zealand-bred daughter of Snitzel made her debut at Turffontein on 12 January when she found plenty of betting support to go off at 5-4.
She looked dangerous with 200m to run but proved no match for Cavivar who went on to win by 2.25 lengths.
She should have gained some necessary experience with that run and one can expect some improvement.
There is no obviously well-bred first-timer who could trouble De Kock’s charge so she should looks hard to oppose. Warren Kennedy rode her on debut and is back aboard this time.
As there are only eight races on the card Race 2 forms the second leg of the BiPot and the first leg of the Place Accumulator.
The other prospective banker comes up in Race 6, which is an Assessment Plate over 1600m.
Flying Fable, the four-year-old daughter of Dynasty, has been sparingly raced and in fact, was out of action for one day less than a year from November 2017 to November 2018.
Whatever the cause for the long break she came back well, finishing a 1.60-length second behind Rouge Allure.
She was off for a further two months and then came back to contest a FM 92 Handicap over 1600m at Turffontein where she finished fifth, but beaten just 2.75 lengths by Tamarina.
It is of concern that she has only raced in fillies’ company in her six races but she has a lot going for her.
Firstly, she is the handicapped runner by some way.
Had this been a handicap she would have been giving at least 3.5kg to the next best-weighted runner, On The Double, who is also a filly.
Secondly, she has won her only start over this course and distance.
That was in her run before the long break, in which she beat Braxton by 1.60 lengths.
She also has the benefit of having Gavin Lerena in the irons.
Once you look past the Mike and Adam Azzie-trained filly the race becomes very open, so it seems you either have to banker Flying Fable or put the field in your Pick 6 and Jackpot.
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