Danie Toerien
A straight-line Bipot could very well be on the cards at Tuesday’s eight race Vaal meeting.
In Race 1, the opening leg of the Bipot, six of the 12 runners are unraced. Of the raced runners, Sean Tarry’s Northumberland appeals most after his eye-catching debut over the course and distance. Beaten just 2.80-lengths, this Visionaire-gelding was the fastest finisher and with that experience in the bank, he must improve.
And remember, for the Bipot, he only has to be the first raced runner over the line.
In Race 2, only three of the eight runners have racing experience and here it is Tarry’s Alice B Toklas who is the one to beat.
Slow out the gates on debut, she too was the fastest finisher in her heat over the same course and distance, so it will come as a huge surprise if she is not the first raced-runner across the line.
Royale Jacket is overdue a first success and Race 3, over 1800m, could be custom-made for this team Marwing-trained gelding.
Having run second six times in his career to date, his consistency makes him the biggest runner in a very tricky six-horse race.
Gimmesumluv, who finished 1.3-lengths behind Royale Jacket last time out, is back against her own sex in Race 4 over 1800m. This daughter of Gimmethegreenlight trained by Lucky Houdalakis was a tad unlucky in her last two when attracting betting support and must have the ideal opportunity to reward followers.
In Race 5, a MR86 Handicap over 2400m, Alec Laird’s One More Star has found his form again. Two victories and three place finishes from his last six starts tells the story of a maturing four-year-old colt on the up. By One World, he looks another Bipot certainty in a seven-horse field.
The Bipot finale, a Graduation Plate over 1400m, sees Tarry’s Golden Operator take his first shot at a Class A event, but despite seeking out higher class company, he looks the one to beat.
This gelded son of Declarationofpeace is race fit, he won impressively with first-time blinkers fitted over a similar trip last time, and with the headgear retained, he looks unlikely to falter with Keagan de Melo in the saddle.
This article was originally published on TAB and is reposted here with permission.
