Finding value at the Vaal
Herald Racing Editor
FINDING winners is always a thrill, whether you’re a punter, a casual observer, or even a racing editor at a newspaper.
For the serious punter, however, value is equally important, as it provides an opportunity to get a relatively big return for a smaller than usual investment. Value bets are very often overlooked in the search for winners.
At Fairview on Monday, there were a few runners who raked in the money for brave punters. Princess Zena, for example, paid R5.60 for her second place in Race 3 compared to the winner Madam Seville who paid R3.50 for being first across the line.
Same thing in Race 4, where Cruise Along paid R10.80 for a place finish while What A Cracker paid R5.90 on the tote for finishing third in the lucky last.
Today at the Vaal there are a few runners who seem more than capable of performing
above expectation – the key to offering value for their followers.
In Race 6, Euphoriant, Mode and Diamonds N Dollars are the ones fancied to fight it out. Daphne Du Maurier, however, could sneak a place in this FM68 Apprentice Divided Handicap over 1800m if she manages to regain form.
This four-year-old Ideal World filly was given an extended break of more than six months after her maiden victory, but in four runs since, she has never achieved that winning look again.
What counts in her favour today is that her Merit Rating has gradually dropped to the current 59 from a high of 75, she will be tested over her favourite distance, and she gets a 4kg claim with apprentice O’Meara Rusike in the saddle for trainer Fabian Habib.
Quoted at R7.75 for a place finish yesterday by Betting World, all she has to do is run fourth in this big field. Watch the betting on this filly and if the odds shorten, get on sooner rather than later.
Interestingly, Rusike is Zimbabwe’s first black female jockey. She has two rides booked today, first on Master Boulder in Race 4 for trainer Fanie Bronkhorst and then aboard Daphne Du Maurier.
She has 13 rides on her resume to date, and both her rides today will be wearing the number 13 saddle cloth.
Rusike has a solitary winner to her name, coming aboard Lunar Dancer at Borrowdale in 2019.