South Africa Horse Racing Previews: VAAL CLASSIC@2023.08.01
Vaal Classic, 01.08.2023, Race 1, Gallops, 1450m, Turf, R75.000, 11:45GMT+2
Race Summary: All racehorses turn a year older on 1 August in the Southern Hemisphere. After two runner-up positions PASS THE BATON could get her just reward and get off the mark. MOUNT ETNA was more at home over the extra and should challenge. INNER SENSE is having her peak run and must be considered for honours. She is coupled with UNITED WE STAND who is on the up. ZOOM LADY has been costly to follow but is one for exotic bets. Watch debutante CRYSTAL MAIDEN.
Selections:
#7 Mount Etna, #6 Pass The Baton, #1 Inner Sense, #2 Zoom Lady
Vaal Classic, 01.08.2023, Race 2, Gallops, 1450m, Turf, R75.000, 12:15GMT+2
Race Summary: TAMIL TIGRESS is back in the maidens and could show them a clean pair of heels. MIZZEN SAIL (coupled with newcomer KUDZU – watch) will relish the extra and rates a live threat. TRIP TO STATES is improving with racing and the extra should suit. CALLABURN, CHIEF WHIP and THE DONELLY are capable of improvement – respect money.
Selections:
#9 Tamil Tigress, #10 Mizzen Sail, #1 Trip To States, #6 Callaburn
Vaal Classic, 01.08.2023, Race 3, Gallops, 1450m, Turf, R75.000, 12:45GMT+2
Race Summary: Tricky race. Younger runners and stable companions STREWN SKY and CICADIDAE will relish the extra and have most scope for improvement. Also, now three-year-olds, COPPER JOHN and BREATH OF MAGIC could come into the reckoning. QUEEN BRITANNA is back in the maidens and if at her best could go in. PIKE PLACE is maturing now and must be considered. At six years old BROADWAY is trying hard to exit the maidens but could disappoint again.
Selections:
#9 Strewn Sky, #10 Cicadidae, #7 Queen Britanna, #5 Copper John
Vaal Classic, 01.08.2023, Race 4, Gallops, 1450m, Turf, R75.000, 13:15GMT+2
Race Summary: Five-year-old mares JUST BE NICE and MABONENG could show their younger rivals who their bosses are. Both are holding form and could get into the fight for honours. SPARKLING JUBILEE was sidelined for a long time and won well in her comeback run. She can now go on. PRIMROSE PATH should be held by her. MISS SHAIVI drifted in the betting last time and ran accordingly. Expect a better run. Others are all looking for minor money.
Selections:
#4 Sparkling Jubilee, #1 Just Be Nice, #5 Maboneng, #2 Primrose Path
Vaal Classic, 01.08.2023, Race 5, Gallops, 1600m, Turf, R80.000, 13:55GMT+2
Race Summary: BEY SUYAY is the ‘safe’ horse. He gives his best over this distance and should go close. RUNNING RIFLES is in a good place and will be right there going for the judge. ELUSIVE SWANN is running close up and could challenge off a handy weight. TOFFAS was not striding out last time and if ready after a rest could make his presence felt. LADY CALAVERA and 10-year-old NORDIC REBEL cannot be ignored for money.
Selections:
#2 Bey Suyay, #1 Running Rifles, #7 Toffas, #10 Elusive Swann
Vaal Classic, 01.08.2023, Race 6, Gallops, 2000m, Turf, R75.000, 14:30GMT+2
Race Summary: KIND JUDY is running well and appears best over this distance – chance. However, SPECIAL CHARM has a better record, having won both her runs at this track, including one over this trip. BALLROOM BLISS could get close to PRINCESS KESH being 2kg better off for a 1.40-lengths beating over this track and trip. Stable companion to KIND JUDY and BALLROOM BLISS is BURMESE TIARA who is looking for Quartet money.
Selections:
#1 Kind Judy, #3 Special Charm, #4 Princess Kesh, #2 Ballroom Bliss
Vaal Classic, 01.08.2023, Race 7, Gallops, 1000m, Turf, R90.000, 15:05GMT+2
Race Summary: Good race – all with claims. TAYOOBA is threatening for her 2nd victory. She races before this – watch. Three-year-old GLOBAL THUNDER has her blinkers back on and should contest the finish. There’s not much separating SILVER WINTER (something amiss last time), ROZARA (not striding out last time) and WINGS OF NIKE (claims 1.5kg) – any could take honours. ROSE FOR TRIPPI makes her debut in her new yard – she can improve the already good record of first-run winners.
Selections:
#8 Global Thunder, #5 Rozara, #7 Tayooba, #1 Rose For Trippi
Vaal Classic, 01.08.2023, Race 8, Gallops, 1000m, Turf, R75.000, 15:40GMT+2
Race Summary: GOLDEN SICKLE won easier than the margin suggested on debut for the Tony Peter yard and could go in again. ON CUE has found form and will run another honest race. She will be closing late. SIMPLY MAGIC, SAMOA, DANCING DORA and FEATHER THE NEST are also looking to chase her down.
Selections:
#1 Golden Sickle, #2 On Cue, #8 Simply Magic, #5 Samoa
Vaal Classic, 01.08.2023, Race 9, Gallops, 1000m, Turf, R70.000, 16:15GMT+2
Race Summary: If RED CARPET GIRL doesn’t give away too much start she should contest the finish. A serious threat could come from DELLA’S SWORD who despite her pedigree, appears best over the minimum distance. Former stablemate MIA REGINA could be hampered by an inside draw – check how the going was in earlier races. LIL MISS MONEYBAGS and MERCER GIRL are looking for Quartet money.
Selections:
#9 Della’s Sword, #8 Red Carpet Girl, #5 Mia Regina, #2 Lil Miss Moneybags
Best Win: #1 KIND JUDY
Best Value Bet: #8 GLOBAL THUNDER
Best Longshot: #8 GLOBAL THUNDER
