Codeword could come knocking

THE low draws should be favourable down the Vaal straight in today's meeting if the course setup stays the same as advertised yesterday i.e. the outside rail is in by 12m from the 1600m to the 600m mark at which point there is a 12m spur.

- DAVID THISELTON

The Mano Pandaram-trained WESTERN WISHES runs in Race 8 - the NEXT VAAL RACEMEETING TUESDAY 30 SEPTEMBER MR 66 HANDICAP at the Vaal today.

(Race Coast/Candiese Lenferna)

In the first race over 1200m Codeword improved when cheek-pieces were put on over further and she ran second in her last two starts over 1800m and 1600m respectively. She is by Global View out of a Trippi mare whose only win was over 1600m. However, she quickened nicely from well off the pace over 1600m last time and was caught late after hitting the front, so she might do well here from a nice low draw.

Raceway has the form to be a big runner here as she improved with blinkers last time out. She has a middle draw. Phuthi should be right there if repeating her last start when a close third over course and distance and she has the plum number one draw. Bella Boop Boop went close the last time she ran over course and distance, despite a terrible start, so she is a big runner if jumping on terms, although she does have a potentially high draw. Chilli Marmalade could earn from a low draw if producing her best.

In the second over 1200m Underdog improved with second time blinkers on and has a chance against an uninspiring field.

Ubermensch has enough ability to be in the shakeup in this race. Storm Burst will be right there if able to reproduce his penultimate start.