The main event on today’s nine-race programme at the Vaal is the World Sports Betting Non-Black Type Grand Heritage run over 1475m.
The Vaal seldom hosts a Saturday racemeeting but Christmas has come early in Vereeniging with the running of the 2024 renewal of the R500 000 feature.
Unique by virtue of the fact that it is run over the 1475m straight and can host up to 28 runners, the Grand Heritage was introduced in 2016 by Phumelela with the intention of it becoming South Africa’s equivalent of famous big field handicaps like The Cesarewitch, The Cambridgeshire and the Tote Ebor, which are three of the biggest annual betting heats in England.
Run for the first time in 2016, the Grand Heritage has survived eight years of challenges, and whether it has achieved its original goal is a moot point.
But for quartet players, it’s a great challenge and 20 runners will line up at 15h45 today in the third leg of the Jackpot 1 carryover of R200 000, which is expected to get to R1 million.
The first is due off at 12h15 with the lucky last set for 16h55.
Diego De Gouveia takes the ride on Guy Gibson for trainer Roy Magner in the feature (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
Trainer Roy Magner sends out Guy Gibson in the Non-Black Type World Sports Betting Grand Heritage. He has improved in his last three starts over 1600m.
He set the pace last time but found one too good in the form of Heather’s Boy. It must be noted that the horse that finished third that day has come out and won since.
The son of Lancaster Bomber won his only attempt on this course. Diego De Gouveia knows him well and the combination may find themselves in the winner’s enclosure.
Garlandsofgreenery from the Alec Laird stable takes her place in Race 3.
She ran a good race when third in the Betway Gr3 Carry On Alice Stakes last time. It must be noted that the form of that race has been franked.
The daughter of Gimmethegreenlight would have come on from the run and should strip much fitter.
She has class about her and should take a power of beating.
| Weather | Cloudy with 40% chance of Afternoon Thunderstorms in Spots, 16-25deg, 15-33kph North Westerly Cross/Head wind, Sunset 19:01 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Rainfall | Last 24 Hours: 12mm | Last 7 Days: 74mm | |
| Irrigation | Last 24 Hours: Nil | Last 7 Days: 21mm | |
| Penetrometer Reading | 22 | ||
| Track Condition | Good | ||
| False Rail | Inside rail – At Zero – Outside rail – At zero. (No false rail). | ||
- The Bipot starts in the second race at 12h50
- The Place Accumulator starts in the third race at 13h25
- The Pick 6 starts in the fourth race at 14h00
- The first Jackpot – a carryover – starts in the fifth race at 14h35
- The second Jackpot starts in the sixth race at 15h10
