Dancers Dream can do it today

By Dave Mollett

JOHANNESBURG -- Dancers Dream looks the pick in today's main race at the Vaal. The Patrick Shaw-inmate is also entered for the John Skeaping Trophy later this month and might therefore only be spot-on for the latter event with a more lucrative prize up for grabs.

The weights for the Skeaping--A Grade II event at Turffontein over 1 800m on September 26--have already been allocated on weight-for-age terms and therefore a victory today will not affect Dancers Dream in any way.

The son of Concertino ran a promising second first time out and then recorded two consecutive victories and a promising third place.

The four year old gelding must have been highly rated by his connections because his next race was the Grade I Cape Of Good Hope Derby in which he was convincingly beaten by Resfa who was subsequently rated good enough to be sold and exported to the East.

Dancers Dream was then rested and in his next four outings failed to earn a cheque. His latest victory at Clairwood Park over 1 800m made the impression that he might be recapturing his best form. His nomination for the Skeaping further confirms that.

The Shaw yard is red hot at the moment and punters could take a chance and banker Dancers Dream in all bets. If not then Winning Ticket, Vox Populi, Through the Woods and Flagstone must also be considered.

Except Dancers Dream Shaw can also atone in the last leg of the Jackpot with Main Street and Island Colony in the last race. Both are ante-post favourites and should give good account of themselves under the experienced guidance of Johnny Geroudis who also rides Dancers Dream.

In race eight Sports Special was twice claimed soon after betting opened on the Highveld and his odds shortened from 5-1 into 3-1.

The opening leg of the Jackpot looks a race in two between the Michael de Kock trained Prospect Tower and well supported Kilgowan (6-1 to 9-2) from the Roy Magner yard. Prospect Tower has earned a reputation of a horse that cannot be followed with confidence. Although the Australian import works well at home he often disappoints his connections with lacklustre efforts on the racing track.

Race six has all the credentials for an upset and as many runners as possible must be considered. If the budget doesn't allow that, then perhaps Charming Arthur and Main Runner to perhaps bring home the bacon.

SELECTIONS

FIRST RACE: 8 Jane's Guest,

2 Beaulieu Breeze, 4 Cup Runneth

SECOND RACE: 8 Marais Friend,

16 Spiritualist, 12 Russian Patriot

THIRD RACE: 1 Belle Ballet,

7 The Stanford Lass, 3 Likely Lil

FOURTH RACE: 11 Spanner,

15 Technicolour Cout, 9 Royal Status

FIFTH RACE: 5 Prospect Tower,

4 Kilgowan, 3 Future Option

SIXTH RACE: 1 Charming Arthur,

5 Main runner, 8 Gold Record

SEVENTH RACE: 3 Dancers Dream,

4 Winning Ticket, 5 Vox Populi

EIGHTH RACE: 6 Main Street,

3 Sports Special, 4 Cawdor

NINTH RACE: 9 Island Colony,