'Happiness' can be caught

Trainer Candice Dawson runs MINOGUE in Race 6 - the FOR HOSPITALITY BOOKINGS CALL 011 681 1796 PINNACLE STAKES at the Vaal today.

- DAVID THISELTON

THE main race at the Vaal meeting today is a high class Pinnacle Stakes event over 1200m in which the merit ratings range from 124 to107.

The false rail report does not mention any rail structure down the straight so presumably that means the outside rail will be at zero metres and, if so, it will favour horses drawn high.

However, the course layout should be checked on the day because it can change and another important factor is which side the stalls are positioned on, so tipping the meeting with the prediction of a draw bias can sometimes backfire.

In the Pinnacle event Chasing Happiness represents the in form yard of Johan Janse van Vuuren and is the second best in at the weights and has a nice high draw with Muzi Yeni up.

Minogue

She is only half-a-kilogram under sufferance with the best-weighted Minogue. She has good pace and is able to kick off it, so could be the one to beat.

Minogue has good Highveld sprint form and can bounce back from her Gr 1 wfa Mercury Sprint run, when beaten 7,65 lengths. She has a middle draw of four in the seven horse field and should make a bold bid under inform Serino Moodley.

Lucky Lad

Lucky Lad is top class, but has not run since finishing a 1,90 length fifth in the Gr 1 wfa Computaform Sprint, where he had a difficult low draw of two. He has draw three here and if at his best will mow the field down with his devastating finish after hitting his usual flat spot when the others are beginning their runs. He has to be included. Pistol Pete is capable of a top class performance too, although he is officially 0,5kg under sufferance with Lucky Lad and 2kg under sufferance with Minogue and he has the potentially unfavourable low draw of one. Ready To Charge could earn a cheque if producing his best.