FORM POINTS TO MY FRIEND LEE
Some decent bets on tricky card
VAAL cards are notoriously difficult but there could be three runners who are worth following at today’s meeting on the outside track.
Best of them could be My Friend Lee in Race 9, a MR 68 Handicap over 1400m. The Lucky Houdalakis yard is in fine form and this three-yearold filly has won three starts, all at this track.
Her latest win, when beating Polly Wolly Doodle, was impressive, as the runner-up has gone on to frank the form by winning her next start. A five-point penalty should not be enough to stop her winning again.
The Pathfork filly gives weight to all her rivals but the opposition does look weak. Muzi Yeni has been aboard but he is in Greece, where he will ride in a race sponsored by Phumelela, on Saturday. Andrew Fortune take the ride this time.
Earlier in the card Real Flight, who contests Race 2, a Maiden Plate over 1200m, looks the likely winner. The Jay Peg filly only found speedy Roman Evening 1.50 lengths too good for her on debut over 1000m. The step up in distance will definitely suit Real Flight and her rider S’manga Khumalo will know her better this time.
Her only real threat appears to be Couldyoube, the mount of Piere Strydom. This Dan De Lago filly showed improvement in each of her first three starts but flopped badly last time.
Paul Peter is another trainer who seems to be having a winner a meeting and his charge, the filly Trellis, could be the right one in Race 4, a Maiden Plate over 1600m. Trellis is improving and the step up in distance should suit the Fort Wood filly.
Tyrone Zackey-trained Sister Of Mercy is holding form well enough since winning at Turffontein in December and she is the one to beat in Race 5, a MR 84 Handicap over 1600m.
Sisters Of Mercy would prefer further but it may be worth noting her last win was over this distance.
Jockey Craig Zackey was aboard Sisters Of Mercy when she won so knows how to get the best out of her and he takes the ride again.