South Africa Horse Racing Previews: VAAL@2023.04.20
Vaal, 20.04.2023, Race 1, Gallops, 1100m, Turf, R90.000, 12:40GMT+2
Race Summary: Only 3 of the 13 runners have raced to date and OPEN HIGHWAY fared best by far. Watch the betting especially on CAPTAIN WARA, ETHANATOR (carded to race before this) and READY TO CHARGE.
Selections:
#6 Open Highway, #1 Captain Wara, #10 Ready To Charge, #2 Ethanator
Vaal, 20.04.2023, Race 2, Gallops, 1100m, Turf, R90.000, 13:15GMT+2
Race Summary: Excluding first-timers, only 3 runners, who are drawn on the inside, stand out. WUGUG showed inexperience on debut when 0.5-lengths behind DIVINE MOONLIGHT and should turn it around. CALA MURETTA is improving fast and could get into the fight for honours. Watch the newcomers.
Selections:
#15 Wugug, #4 Divine Moonlight, #3 Cala Muretta, #8 Happy Analia
Vaal, 20.04.2023, Race 3, Gallops, 3200m, Turf, R120.000, 13:50GMT+2
Race Summary: PRIME EXAMPLE and ABSOLUTE VALUE meet again but both step up to 3200m. They should see it out but ABSOLUTE VALUE meets his rival on 2kg better terms for 1,75-lengths and it could get close. AFRAAD cannot be ignored for honours – he tries his best. GREAT AFFAIR has a shout but appears moody. OUT OF YOUR LEAGUE and YOUCANTHURRYLOVE could upset the applecart if finding true form.
Selections:
#6 Absolute Value, #5 Prime Example, #3 Afraad, #4 Great Affair
Vaal, 20.04.2023, Race 4, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R90.000, 14:25GMT+2
Race Summary: Difficult to assess with no useful current form showing. FULL GO must have a chance to exit the maiden ranks in this company. SAKA GOLD did well on the polytrack but took a walk in the betting on debut for his new yard on turf, was cut into and ran downfield. A newcomer attracting money must be taken seriously – watch.
Selections:
#3 Full Go, #2 Saka Gold, #14 William Iron Arm, #8 Look To The Stars
Vaal, 20.04.2023, Race 5, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R110.000, 15:00GMT+2
Race Summary: Good race. WINTER GREETING looks well above average and could win fresh from a Cape visit. FLOWERBOMB is no slouch but pulled up blowing last time – respect. KINKY BOOTS, despite being bred for it, was well-beaten in the Guineas last time but is fresh and could enjoy a return to a sprint. FOLLOW ME has blinkers back on – look for a big run. IN THE BEGINNING ran below form last time and could make her presence felt. LUCY IN THE SKY could make the frame.
Selections:
#4 Winter Greeting, #9 Kinky Boots, #3 Flowerbomb, #2 Follow Me
Vaal, 20.04.2023, Race 6, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R95.000, 15:35GMT+2
Race Summary: Competitive. MINI COOP should give the field a run for their money and is a must for exotics. BLACK EGRET is running well and should challenge. SILENT WAR benefitted from a change in scenery and should go on. THE MAURITIAN found problems in his last two starts – expect a better showing. TAYOOBA, STORM DICTATOR and hat-trick seeker MESCAL could make the Quartet.
Selections:
#2 Mini Coop, #7 Black Egret, #9 Silent War, #1 The Mauritian
Vaal, 20.04.2023, Race 7, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R85.000, 16:10GMT+2
Race Summary: Wide open. THERE SHE GOES is running better and is one of many who could take it. LOLLAPALOOZA is holding form and could be the ‘safe’ runner. BLUE WATERS was blowing last time and could make amends. BERENGARIA, SAMOA, LOVE BITE, MIX THE MAGIC, GRECIA, BIG CITY GIRL and MEET THE CAPTAIN are more for the short list.
Selections:
#4 There She Goes, #5 Lollapalooza, #2 Blue Waters, #1 Berengaria
Vaal, 20.04.2023, Race 8, Gallops, 1500m, Turf, R80.000, 16:45GMT+2
Race Summary: Difficult race to end the day. MIDNIGHT CRYSTAL is in form and has good early speed to be perfectly paced in a big field. PRINCESS ILARIA got up to win last time and could prefer the turn. BATIK is holding form and shouldn’t be far off. BEGUILING won at the second time of asking. She is bred for a lot further but could could go on. LADY CALAVERA failed to complete a hat-trick last time but found problems and could resume winning ways. MAMAQUERA, WRITTENINTHESAND, NICE MOVE and ENGLISH PRIMROSE could make the money.
Selections:
#12 Midnight Crystal, #5 Princess Ilaria, #13 Batik, #9 Beguiling
Best Win: #15 WUGUG
Best Value Bet: #2 MINI COOP
Best Longshot: #2 MINI COOP
