Vaal Preview – 9 February

South Africa Horse Racing Previews: VAAL CLASSIC@2023.02.09

Vaal Classic, 09.02.2023, Race 1, Gallops, 1600m, Turf, R90.000, 12:05GMT+2

Race Summary: BIG FIVE as been costly to follow and is probably best over 1400m, however, in this field he could crack a long awaited victory. WOLFRAM showed marked improvement in blinkers last time and should be involved in the finish. Stablemate NGOKUSHESHA sports blinkers now and can improve. BROADWAY is not going there, but could challenge. ON THE GUEST LIST disappointed last time but is a lot better than that. SPRING WILL COME has been threatening and should make his presence felt.

Selections:

#2 Wolfram, #8 On The Guest List, #4 Spring Will Come, #7 Big Fiv

Vaal Classic, 09.02.2023, Race 2, Gallops, 1000m, Turf, R105.000, 12:35GMT+2

Race Summary: Interesting. Stable companions VIRGINIA BEACH and LEAVING LAS VEGAS, both fillies, were backed on their respective debuts and won. FIRE ‘N FLAMES won well at the third time of asking and appears to have lots more to come. XPLICIT CONTENT was runner-up in both his starts and is looking for money. WHITE HILLS could place. Watch newcomer THE AFRICA HOUSE.

Selections:

#2 Virginia Beach, #7 Leaving Las Vegas, #1 Fire ‘N Flames, #4 Xplicit Content

Vaal Classic, 09.02.2023, Race 3, Gallops, 1000m, Turf, R90.000, 13:10GMT+

Race Summary: BROSNAN finished a neck behind IRON SKY when making his debut, but reversed that form next time out. Meeting for the third time, BROSNAN should build on that. CAMERATA is running close up and should run another honest race. YOURE MY SUNSHINE found no support on debut but wasn’t disgraced. He can only come on. ABSOLUTE PLEASURE races in new surroundings after an enforced long lay-off. RIO SUPREMO could sneak into a place.

Selections:

#6 Brosnan, #1 Iron Sky, #8 Camerata, #2 Fulliautomatix

Vaal Classic, 09.02.2023, Race 4, Gallops, 1450m, Turf, R90.000, 13:45GMT+2

Race Summary: GREEN BUBBLES has drawn wide but the field is not overly strong and she deserves her maiden victory. KEEP THE FORT showed big improvement last time and if confirming, should make a race of it. Her stable companion AFRICAN AZURE wasn’t disgraced on debut and will know more about it. MEMORIAL DAY finds issues but if problem-free could get into the action. Watch first-timer LADY DYNAMO.

Selections:

#1 Green Bubbles, #2 Keep The Fort, #8 African Azure, #3 Memorial Day

Vaal Classic, 09.02.2023, Race 5, Gallops, 1450m, Turf, R85.000, 14:20GMT+2

Race Summary: ADMIRALTY ARCH is running well and could chalk up his 3rd win, however, IRONTAIL, was unlucky to be demoted after passing the line first last time and could get his just reward. IN CAHOOTS was hampered last time and never recovered. Expect a better effort. PRAIRIE FALCON has ability but needs to get her act together. NEVER TO CLEVER is looking for 4 straight wins but is reported in need of the outing. THE CHOSEN ONE should be at peak fitness and could make the money. BIRD IN SPACE could just need it

Selections:

#4 Irontail, #3 Admiralty Arch, #1 In Cahoots, #6 Prairie Falcon

Vaal Classic, 09.02.2023, Race 6, Gallops, 2400m, Turf, R75.000, 14:55GMT+2

Race Summary: NUCLEAR FORCE found problems last time but nevertheless finished over a length ahead of PACIFIC EXPRESS. They renew rivalry but both need to overcome wide draws. SON OF RAJ won well after a rest last time and should see out the extra – respect. PRIME EXAMPLE comes off an easy maiden win but was beaten 7.7-lengths by TWICE IN CAMDEN back in November. FLAG BEARER, MONSIEUR CHEVELLE, FOLLOW MY PATH and GO DREAM MACHINE could pop up.

Selections:

#6 Nuclear Force, #4 Pacific Express, #7 Son Of Raj, #9 Prime Example

Vaal Classic, 09.02.2023, Race 7, Gallops, 2000m, Turf, R85.000, 15:35GMT+2

Race Summary: CELESTIAL CITY won on debut and then ran 3 consecutive seconds. She should be hard to stop this time. SILVANO’S SONG comes off a maiden win but is crying out for this longer distance – respect. LITTLE PRINCE hasn’t been far off recently and should get into the reckoning. Stablemate ABSOLUTE VALUE as well as KING OF ROME and GLOBAL BREEZE are looking for Quartet money

Selections:

#1 Celestial City, #3 Silvano’s Song, #2 Little Prince, #4 King Of Rome

Vaal Classic, 09.02.2023, Race 8, Gallops, 1000m, Turf, R85.000, 16:10GMT+2

Race Summary: Tricky. Stable companions SILVER MENSA and SIBERIAN STEEL come of maiden wins. They also have two fellow-inmates here in SOUTH BOY and INSATIABLE – watch the money. STORMY SEAS is honest and should contest the finish. PHINDA MZALA, TIMBAVATI RIVER, PENDRAGON, MANDALAY and AFTER HOURS could upset the apple-cart.

Selections:

#4 Insatiable, #2 Stormy Seas, #1 South Boy, #6 Phinda Mzala

Vaal Classic, 09.02.2023, Race 9, Gallops, 1000m, Turf, R85.000, 16:40GMT+2

Race Summary: CIVIL PRINCESS was heavily backed on debut and toyed with her field. She could be anything. Stable companions CORVETTE CAPTAIN, COVERT OPERATOR and ROSE VELVET form strong back-ups. BEADED GOWN is ripe and ready to give another good performance. LAETITIA’S ANGEL and SPLENDID SEASON are looking for minor money.

Selections:

#2 Civil Princess, #1 Corvette Captain, #5 Covert Operator, #10 Beaded Gown

Best Win: #2 CIVIL PRINCESS

Best Value Bet: #4 INSATIABLE

Best Longshot: #4 INSATIABLE

Melissa
Author: Melissa