South Africa Horse Racing Previews: VAAL CLASSIC@2023.01.12
Vaal Classic, 12.01.2023, Race 1, Gallops, 1700m, Turf, R90.000, 12:15GMT+2
Race Summary: ROSSLYNE has been threatening and could get her just reward. MEMORIAL DAY disappointed somewhat last time when blowing. She will have no problem with the extra and deserves another chance. Look for improvement from IMPERSONATION. ALLTHEWAYFROMUSA did well on debut in her new yard but with COFFEE IN SEATTLE (not striding out last time) have drawn wide out. THREE STRANDS is improving with racing and could challenge. SASSY could place.
Selections:
#3 Memorial Day, #2 Rosslyne, #13 Impersonation, #16 Three Strands
Vaal Classic, 12.01.2023, Race 2, Gallops, 1000m, Turf, R110.000, 12:45GMT+2
Race Summary: Match-race – KARANGETANG versus SWING UPON A STAR. KARANGETANG will try and get a winning lead over the minimum distance but SWING UPON A STAR, first time this short trip, will be catching late. HIGHEST HONOUR comes off a 534 day break so should need it. MANDALAY comes off a maiden win and is looking for Trifecta money.
Selections:
#1 Swing Upon A Star, #2 Karangetang, #4 Highest Honour, #5 Mandalay
Vaal Classic, 12.01.2023, Race 3, Gallops, 1600m, Turf, R90.000, 13:20GMT+2
Race Summary: TOFFAS is having his peak run and rates the one to beat. Also ripe and ready is THUNDERSTONE but he has to concede 5kg which could make him battle a bit. FUTUREWOLFF was a nose in front of ROSY LEMON last time but the latter is 1kg better off. However, FUTUREWOLFF found traffic problems and could confirm. ROLL OVER REDROVER won well at the 2nd time of asking but the form has yet to be franked. RIVER ROMEO was backed when winning on debut but is reported in need of the outing.
Selections:
#4 Toffas, #1 Thunderstone, #8 Futurewolff, #7 Rosy Lemon
Vaal Classic, 12.01.2023, Race 4, Gallops, 1600m, Turf, R85.000, 13:55GMT+2
Race Summary: Seven year-old IN CAHOOTS bounced back to best last time and the combo could go in again, however, he meets GILDA GRAY on 8.5kg worse terms for 7.25 lengths. Also, he has yet to win over the 1600m trip and if GILDA GRAY doesn’t give away too much at the start, she could be up to it. ADMIRALTY ARCH and BURMESE TIARA are serious contenders for Trifecta money. GIMME THE FLAME could get into the money.
Selections:
#1 In Cahoots, #9 Gilda Gray, #2 Admiralty Arch, #3 Burmese Tiara
Vaal Classic, 12.01.2023, Race 5, Gallops, 2400m, Turf, R120.000, 14:35GMT+2
Race Summary: Tricky. ARLINGTON ACTION is worse off with WHITE FANG, EARL and GREAT AFFAIR but he keeps on winning. He is looking for 5 successive marathon distance victories on the trot but it will be difficult. FLYING FIRST CLASS is fancied to win before this – watch the form. OUT OF YOUR LEAGUE, CAPTAIN CHORUS and MONSIEUR CHEVELLE could pull it off.
Selections:
#10 Flying First Class, #8 Great Affair, #4 Arlington Action, #3 White Fang
Vaal Classic, 12.01.2023, Race 6, Gallops, 1000m, Turf, R110.000, 15:10GMT+2
Race Summary: INSATIABLE finished a neck ahead of ROSE FOR TRIPPI (won subsequently) recently and is 9.5kg better off. However, the latter needed that run and found traffic problems then. Stablemates REMEMBER WHEN and BIG EYED GIRL, as well as LIL MISS MONEYBAGS could upset calculations.
Selections:
#4 Rose For Trippi, #6 Insatiable, #5 Lil Miss Moneybags, #1 Remember When
Vaal Classic, 12.01.2023, Race 7, Gallops, 1000m, Turf, R85.000, 15:45GMT+2
Race Summary: There should be nothing between IN THE ETHER and BEADED GOWN based on their recent meeting, however, the latter appeared to have been hampered enough to turn it around. BIG CITY GIRL is finding form and could get into the action. QUICK RUN is back to best and could go in again. PRAYUPONASTAR won at the 2nd time of asking despite choking up. She could go on. Others are looking for minor money.
Selections:
#7 Beaded Gown, #5 In The Ether, #10 Big City Girl, #8 Quick Run
Vaal Classic, 12.01.2023, Race 8, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R85.000, 16:20GMT+2
Race Summary: METEORIC should make a bold bid, however, if covered early her task could be made easier. COOL WINTER jumps from a wide draw after a disappointing last start, but could make his presence felt. PINCH HIT is running well and could challenge. BACK TO BASICS is improving again and deserves respect. RATTLE BAG and GREAT TIMES could prove best of the rest.
Selections:
#2 Meteoric, #1 Cool Winter, #3 Pinch Hit, #9 Back To Basics
Best Win: #4 TOFFAS
Best Value Bet: #3 MEMORIAL DAY
Best Longshot: #3 MEMORIAL DAY
