JOCKEY Raymond Danielson rode a well-judged race on Fort Wood-filly Balkis (4-1) to win Race 9 over the straight mile at the Vaal on Thursday.

Balkis jumped well and settled a length or so off the pace in the first half of the race, but was given a breather when Matilda’s Love was let off the bit and Piere Strydon tried to pinch it on Gary Alexander’s filly.

It looked as if Balkis was too far out of her ground going into the last 250m, but Danielson had kept some in reserve and the four-year-old started to claw back her defecit, drawing next to Matilda’s Love with 100m to run and running on to win going away.

Balkis, bred by Wilgerbosdrift Stud, is raced in partnership by Mary Slack and Richard Maponya.