The very last racemeeting of the year gets under way at the Vaal today at 12h30 and the appropriately named Mardi Gras can get punters into a festive spirit when he steps out in the fourth race, looking a banker bet.
![](https://www.sportingpost.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Mardi-Gras.jpg)
Johan Janse van Vuuren’s Mardi Gras – very smart 4yo
The R3,2 million son of Oratorio will be ridden by Craig Zackey today and runs over the same course and distance as his last win.
The scratching of Big Mistake has reduced the field to just six runners and many will be leaning on Mardi Gras as a jackpot banker.
The former Dennis Bosch galloper Billy Silver has his first run for Geoff Woodruff after a 22 week break from racing and steps out in a competitive Assessment Plate field in the third – the Pick 6 opener.
See Geoff Woodruff’s positive comments below.
First-timer/rested horses comments:
1 12:30 – HAPPY FESTIVE SEASON FROM RACING IT’S A RUSH MAIDEN JUVENILE PLATE
1 AFFECTIONEIGHT P F Matchett: Will need the run
2 BUFFELSFONTEIN T Spies: Scratched
5 GUANTANAMO BAY D Sham: Nice colt but will need the experience
6 JURY L J Erasmus (Jnr): Might be too short
7 MOONLIGHTSTRANGER D Sham: Nice colt but will need the experience
9 ROOI TOM P F Matchett: Will need the run
10 SEMPER FI B D Botes: Speedy, place chance
12 THE KRAKEN R R Magner: Nice little guy but will probably be a little green
13 UNTAMED TIGER D Sham: Scratched
14 WAR JEWEL D Sham: Nice colt but will need the experience
15 EMERALD TIARA S G Tarry: No comment given
16 WHAT YOU ARE T Spies: Will need the experience
2 13:05 – ALL TO COME MAIDEN PLATE (F & M)
12 HAREER S G Tarry: No comment given
14 MISS TYCOON C Dawson: Will need further
3 13:40 – TAB TELEBET – 0861 000 822 ASSESSMENT PLATE
1 BILLY SILVER G V Woodruff: Lovely horse, been with stable for a few months, fit and ready to race
3 BASILIUS T Spies: Will need the run
4 FITZWILLIAM D Sham: Fresh and well
8 16:35 – NEXT VAAL RACEMEETING THURSDAY 3 JANUARY MAIDEN PLATE (F & M)
15 JULEP A G Laird: Hoping for improvement
16 TYTRIS W H Marwing: Will need the run
- Thanks to Phumelela Publishing