Hotaru will make it tough

A fillies and mares 80 handicap over 1200m is the highest rated race in an interesting eight race meeting on the Vaal straight course today.

- DAVID THISELTON

The course set up at present has the outside rail at zero for the races down the straight, meaning high draws should be favourable, while the two races around the turn will have a six metre spur at the 600m mark.

Three-year-old Hotaru is the one to beat in the headliner as she won a maiden handicap over course and distance by 4,25 lengths carrying top-weight in June and followed up with a far from disgraced 6,95 length 12th in the Gr 2 SplashOut Golden Slipper over 1400m at Hollywoodbets Greyville which was won by the unbeaten star Anotherdanceforme. However, Hotaru does have to run off a 91 merit rating, which will make it tough, although she does have a nice high draw of eight out of nine and is the one to beat.

Global Thunder

Global Thunder has won his last two starts in good style, but does have to overcome a ten point raise as he was under sufferance when winning last time, so it won't be easy for her either, although she does have the highest draw. The Navy Lark is an honest sort with plenty of pace and she should make a bold bid in the fast conditions, although draw three might be against her. Sheets and Goggles has shown enough form to earn here from draw five with Jacey Botes claiming an effective 3,5kg and carrying no dead weight. Valieva comes off a nice win over 1160m and with Khumalo aboard could be a runner from draw six off just a three point higher mark.