Johannesburg — KWAZULU-Natal trainer Mark Dixon has found the Vaal a happy hunting ground this year and he can chalk up another winner when Winter Queen does duty at the Free State track today.

A consistent daughter of Winter Romance, Winter Queen takes on 10 rivals in the sixth race, one of which is Geoff Woodruff's filly, Moneycantbuymelove.

Considering Woodruff saddled four winners at last Saturday's Emerald Cup meeting, it might be foolish opposing his well-bred runner, but this is Moneycantbuymelove's first outing of the season and she has to concede 7kg to Winter Queen.

Duke's Woman has finished second in her last two starts and could prove dangerous provided jockey Willy Figueroa can overcome a wide draw.

Pick of the remainder may be Dominic Zaki's filly, Lavender Lady, although she failed to shape on her last sand outing here in June.

Dixon's other raider, Common Law, looks to have a more difficult task in the seventh race, but it would be unwise to leave the mare out of exotic bets.

The six-year-old is co-owned by racing journalist, Jack Milner, who said yesterday: "Mark believes that she will be competitive despite a wide draw as she has been working well at home."

Nevertheless, the right horse in this 1200m handicap may be Paul Matchett's four-year-old, Brave Bid.

Milner also owns a share in Gate Baron who makes a quick return to the track in the first leg of the jackpot. Mark Khan rode the gelding last Saturday and the champion jockey retains the ride this afternoon.

Gate Baron's stablemate, Pattaya Beach, bred by Robin Scott and this correspondent, has shown ability in his five starts with a win and two placings, but trainer Brett Webber feels today's sand surface may not be ideal.

"Although he will prefer tomorrow's longer trip of 1450m, my opinion is that he's a better horse on the turf than he is on sand," said Webber yesterday.

The favourite in this race is sure to be Ryan's A Lion, who finished second behind the Woodruff-trained Kingdom Come here last Saturday. Provided this race hasn't come too soon, Ryan's A Lion could well notch the third win of his career.

St John Gray has no doubt been celebrating following Alimony's exciting win in the R600000 Emerald Cup, and it would be no surprise to see him saddle two more winners this afternoon. His best chance probably lies with his five-year-old mare, Misty Moonlight, who could upset the likely favourite, All The Eights, in the final event on the card.

Gray runs a choicely-bred three-year-old in Fair Beau in the fourth race. Owned and bred by Mike Rattray, the gelding is a full brother to Fair Maiden and Emerald Cup disappointment, Braggadacio.