South Africa Horse Racing Previews: VAAL@2023.05.09
Vaal, 09.05.2023, Race 1, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R80.000, 11:45GMT+2
Race Summary: Seven of the 11 runners are first-timers including KNOCKEMSTIFF who is coupled with form runner CAPTAIN WARA who can only improve on a decent debut but races before this. Watch the betting on all.
Selections:
#1 Captain Wara, #5 Knockemstiff, #7 Mvelelo, #11 No Filter
Vaal, 09.05.2023, Race 2, Gallops, 2000m, Turf, R75.000, 12:15GMT+2
Race Summary: Small but competitive field. JET DYNASTY is maturing and could go in again, however, he finished behind FUTUREWOLF recently and it could get close between them. MONSIEUR CHEVELLE is probably better over further but cannot be ignored for honours. STREET ART is reported working well in new surroundings – respect. ROMEO’S MAGIC and HAZLO GRANDE are looking for Trifecta money.
Selections:
#1 Jet Dynasty, #3 Futurewolff, #5 Monsieur Chevelle, #4 Hazlo Grande
Vaal, 09.05.2023, Race 3, Gallops, 1800m, Turf, R75.000, 12:45GMT+2
Race Summary: Tricky with indifferent form. MANZ KNIGHT appears most consistent of them all and is the ‘safe’ horse. On the Mambo Come Tesio form all of TIME TO MEDITATE, DESERT FOX and WONDERWORLD should be close to MANZ KNIGHT. EVERY CLOUD and IMPRESSION are improving and could get into the action.
Selections:
#5 Manz Knight, #3 Wonderworld, #10 Impression, #9 Every Cloud
Vaal, 09.05.2023, Race 4, Gallops, 1800m, Turf, R75.000, 13:15GMT+2
Race Summary: Both SPIRIT PRINCESS and IDABELLE are having their peak runs and could fight this out. TURNTHEBEATAROUND finished behind ANTANANARIVO who showed improved form in blinkers but it’s her turn to try the blinkers and could do likewise. Another runner who showed improvement sporting blinkers is IDEAL HEART and she comes into the picture. IMPERSONATION is looking for Quartet money.
Selections:
#3 Idabelle, #2 Spirit Princess, #4 Antananarivo, #8 Ideal Heart
Vaal, 09.05.2023, Race 5, Gallops, 2400m, Turf, R70.000, 13:55GMT+2
Race Summary: ANGEL’S WISH is relishing the marathon distance and has good acceleration – be there. She has to contend with honest ABSOLUTE VALUE who will give a run for money. BARMAID never travelled last time but pulled up distressed. Look for a better effort. ROYAL MAZARIN and PACIFIC EXPRESS are looking to challenge. GREAT AFFAIR and GO DREAM MACHINE could put it in.
Selections:
#1 Angel’s Wish, #3 Absolute Value, #7 Barmaid, #4 Royal Mazarin
Vaal, 09.05.2023, Race 6, Gallops, 1000m, Turf, R100.000, 14:30GMT+2
Race Summary: Good race. SET TO GO is back over his winning trip and could improve the stats to all three wins recorded. MOVER AND SHAKER is speedy and the 2.5kg allowance will help. SMITH AND WESSON makes his track debut and should make his presence felt. CONSTABLE and TROMPIE are capable and could redeem themselves. LUCY ENGLISH could keep her mind on things sporting blinkers now.
Selections:
#8 Set To Go, #1 Mover And Shaker, #10 Smith And Wesson, #4 Trompie
Vaal, 09.05.2023, Race 7, Gallops, 1000m, Turf, R80.000, 15:05GMT+2
Race Summary: Every runner in this 12 horse field could pull it off. TRE AMICI is 4kg better than AXEL COLLINS for 1.50 lengths and should turn it around. STORMY SEAS is holding form and should be thereabouts again. A fast early pace could see MINI COOP flash up. CAPTAIN DIZZY runs well fresh and could go in again.
Selections:
#3 Mini Coop, #10 Tre Amici, #6 Stormy Seas, #9 Axel Collins
Vaal, 09.05.2023, Race 8, Gallops, 1400m, Turf, R80.000, 15:35GMT+2
Race Summary: Wide open. CALIBRE CREST looks the one they will all have to beat but many will be trying their best. MO JIVE and LORD VARYS sport blinkers for the first time – respect. BLOOMINGTON, STORMY WINTER, CAPTAIN HINDSIGHT, BLUE WATERS and SILENT WAR are more warranting inclusion.
Selections:
#7 Calibre Crest, #5 Mo Jive, #6 Bloomington, #2 Stormy Winter
Vaal, 09.05.2023, Race 9, Gallops, 1400m, Turf, R70.000, 16:05GMT+2
Race Summary: Another difficult race with many possible winners. IRONTAIL races fresh and should make a bold effort. BATIK is running well and could hold WAQAAS on recent collateral form, however, the latter thrives at this track and cannot be ignored. MABONENG pulled up fatigued last time and should do a lot better. Others are looking for minor money.
Selections:
#2 Irontail, #5 Batik, #1 Waqaas, #10 Maboneng
Vaal, 09.05.2023, Race 10, Gallops, 1400m, Turf, R70.000, 16:40GMT+2
Race Summary: Wide open. CONKER THE WORLD should give a run for money if starts on terms. ROCKINGTHETIMEAWAY tries further again and could improve. TIMBAVATI RIVER is running well and shouldn’t be far off. BUSHVELD, SPEECHMAKER, WRITTEN IN STONE and BIG CITY GIRL are more to include in exotics.
Selections:
#6 Conker The World, #4 Rockingthetimeaway, #9 Timbavati River, #10 Speechmaker
Best Win: #1 CAPTAIN WARA
Best Value Bet: #8 SET TO GO
Best Longshot: #8 SET TO GO
