Its one of those very weak days at the Vaal on Thursday. A MR66 over 1200m is the best on offer, laments
Ken Nicol.

The Protagonists

Saint Stephen
Ultra consistent, and retains Strydom in the irons. Rather surprisingly yet to win on the turf here, but has
every chance in this moderate line up.

Wayward Lad
Well named, as he had gone off the boil before along break. Two very poor comeback runs have followed,
and he makes little appeal at preset.

Feature Finder
Only win was last time out in a half stakes Maiden race restricted to 4yo and upwards. No form prior to that,
and hard to predict how he will fare in his post maiden appearance.

El Matador
Ran on strongly for second a month ago to put a period of poor form behind him. Chance on that, and the
Binda yard is enjoying a successful period. Include.

Constant Speed
Three very poor most recent displays. Has only ever featured on sand, and makes no appeal here.

Personal Phantom
Holding form, although slightly below best at Flamingo Park on Monday. Better on sand, although last turf
run was a good one. Could have shock potential.

Ace Of Hearts
Gutsy latest win. Seems best over further, but shouldn’t be discounted in this rather thin race.

Collect Call
No threat in any of his last seven, and has never featured in five attempts at this course. Unlikely.

Winter Base
Has lost form badly, and best recent form is on sand. Makes no real appeal.

Advance Call
Many starts since only win, and struggling to find a finish. Did win over this C+D, but unlikely to follow up
today.

Fort Jerez
Poor post maiden effort, after taking ten starts to win. Very moderate overall form, and appears outgunned.

Autumn Wizard
In good form, and won latest going away. Seasoned campaigner, but has lively each way prospects in this
line up.

Jet Jungle
Ages since any presentable form, and has done best on sand. Never fulfilled potential, and makes no appeal.

Le Brashee
Unplaced in all of last twelve, and fails to make any sort of case for himself on recent evidence.

Breeze On By
Reserve. Relatively consistent, and never that far off them. More needed to actually win it, but can certainly
earn.

Icy Compliment
2nd reserve. Below best of late, and quite a while since he threatened to add to his four wins. Unlikely.

About the Pace
A few regular front runners here, and should be conducted at a decent tempo.

It’s the listed Ibhayi Stakes for 3yo’s at Arlington on Friday. The scratching of Nocturnal Affair takes some
gloss off the event, leaving local heroes DJ Detsky and All Ablaze set to fight it out, writes Ken Nicol.

The Protagonists

DJ Detsky
Won four of last six, and hampered badly when fourth last time. Gives weight away all round, but has
beaten all of the better ones here before, and seems certain to go mighty close.

All Ablaze
Shouldn’t be much between this one and the top weight on their two recent meetings. Talented sort, and is a
major danger with MJ Byleveld aboard.

Nocturnal Affair
Scratched

Lector
Well beaten by DJ Detsky at his penultimate, before an easy pillar to post triumph just over a month ago.
Drawn wide, and will struggle to hold off the top two.

Annual Report
Won latest after a burst blood vessel enforced layoff. Can improve further, and has an outside squeak.

Dancing Kiwi
Easy latest win against far weaker, but well held on previous meetings with DJ Detsky and Lector. Will
need further improvement to have a shout.

Eye Of The World
Frontrunner, but has done best over further. Far more needed to threaten here, and would be a shock winner.

Big Daddy
Very encouraging post maiden effort when only a length off All Ablaze. Now 2kg better off, but this regular
frontrunner now has the worst draw to overcome. Could be dangerous if given a soft lead.

Iceagelegacy
Improved latest, but no jockey declared, so presumably last choice of the three Gavin Smith runners. Would
have a shout with any further improvement.

Lover
Only one good run in eight. Flopped in post maiden appearance, and will need big improvement.

Muthakar
Just held on to win maiden at the fifth attempt. Jumps in class, and stable mate big daddy is preferred.

Cannonball
No recent form worth mentioning, and finished lame a month ago. No appeal.

About the Pace
A few pace makers here, and the gallop will be a testing one.