I Am Regal will be on her mark

THE highest rated race at the Vaal Classic meeting today is the eighth, a MR 85 handicap for fillies and mares over 2000m, and it could be won by I Am Regal.

- DAVID THISELTON

I Am Regal has run over this trip a few times before and has won one of them and never been far off in the others. She has dropped to a mark of 78, which is three points lower than her highest winning mark, which was over 1800 in October last year. The last time she ran over a middle distance she was just 4,30 lengths behind DoltWithdiamonds and that is no disgrace as the latter has won four times this season. I Am Regal jumps from a fair draw of four and will be ridden by the ever improving Malesela Katjedi. Dimako's Jet is a consistent sort who should make a bold bid over an ideal trip with Gavin Lerena up, but on her last meeting with I Am Regal she is a whopping 6kg worse off for a mere 2,50 length beating.

Key Worker

Key Worker is in fair form and could earn if able to overcome a wide draw. Avoontoast is well drawn over a suitable trip and Piere Strydom will give her every chance. She has to overcome a seven point raise, but is only 6kg worse off with I Am Regal for a 5,50 length beating on their last meeting, although that was over 1800m and I Am Regal has beaten her over this trip before. One Religion can do better than her last start, so can't be ignored.