South Africa Horse Racing Previews: VAAL@2023.08.10
Vaal, 10.08.2023, Race 1, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R75.000, 12:00GMT+2
Race Summary: Difficult to assess the Work Riders opening event. The only runner to show a glimpse of form is TEO TORRIATTE. Newcomer POTATO SALAD doesn’t have to be too good to win. SIRACHA comes off a long lay-off and if supported, respect.
Selections:
#7 Teo Torriatte, #6 Potato Salad, #2 Siracha, #3 Arctic Commander
Vaal, 10.08.2023, Race 2, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R75.000, 12:30GMT+2
Race Summary: After two consecutive seconds, WILKIES looks to have a bright chance of escaping the maiden ranks. However, she races before this – watch. DAKOTA CAT appears to prefer a tad further but will give the rest a run for their money. UNIVERSAL LOVE attracted money on debut but had issues and can only improve. SOMEDAY MAYBE and SUGARY SWEET are looking for Trifecta money. Watch first-timer PRINCESS VRITTI.
Selections:
#1 Wilkies, #3 Dakota Cat, #9 Universal Love, #2 Someday Maybe
Vaal, 10.08.2023, Race 3, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R75.000, 13:00GMT+2
Race Summary: KING’S RANSOM could come out tops in a full field of maidens. He eased in the betting on debut but did well to run second. ROYAL EDITION found no support on debut but wasn’t disgraced. JOHN WICK attracted money on debut but never produced. All three runners will come on. CIRCLE OF GRACE, RICHARD THE FIRST, JACK FROST and KINSHIN SHA are looking to improve. Watch the first-timers.
Selections:
#13 King’s Ransom, #5 Circle Of Grace, #16 Royal Edition, #12 John Wick
Vaal, 10.08.2023, Race 4, Gallops, 1600m, Turf, R75.000, 13:35GMT+2
Race Summary: This is not a strong field and on their recent meeting SHE’S A KLAWER, VILLA SEMAYA and LEONESSA should finish on top of each other. On collateral form MOUNT ETNA must come into the reckoning. DUELLONA could upset the apple-cart.
Selections:
#6 Villa Semaya, #7 Mount Etna, #5 Leonessa, #2 She’s A Klawer
Vaal, 10.08.2023, Race 5, Gallops, 1600m, Turf, R75.000, 14:10GMT+2
Race Summary: HALBERDIER finished ahead of BROTHERHOODOFMAGIC before but over the extra the latter could reverse that form. However, he races before this – watch. On collateral form, DIESEL’S SHADOW should be held but he is improving with racing and cannot be ignored. BREATH OF MAGIC must be in with a winning chance as well. Others are looking for minor money. Respect money for debutant MONDIAL.
Selections:
#7 Diesel’s Shadow, #6 Brotherhoodofmagic, #5 Breath Of Magic, #4 Halberdier
Vaal, 10.08.2023, Race 6, Gallops, 1800m, Turf, R100.000, 14:45GMT+2
Race Summary: RIVER ROMEO got a huge penalty for his top run in the Daily News 2000 and was not striding out last time. Likewise, BOB’S YOUR UNCLE was striding short last time but with a handy weight could get involved. SUPREME DANCE is unbeaten over this course and distance – respect. OPERA GLASS, TWIN TURBO and IMPERIAL MASTER could prove best of the rest.
Selections:
#8 Bob’s Your Uncle, #3 Supreme Dance, #4 Opera Glass, #7 Imperial Master
Vaal, 10.08.2023, Race 7, Gallops, 2000m, Turf, R75.000, 15:20GMT+2
Race Summary: NOTHINGELSEMATTERS is overdue a second victory and could score. TROIS TROIS QUATRE won on his 6th start and is at peak fitness, so could follow up. INDIAN WAR DANCE is threatening for his second win and warrants inclusion in exotics. YOURE MY SUNSHINE won on debut for his new yard but has a hefty weight and a wide draw. Others are looking for minor money.
Selections:
#7 Nothingelsematters, #6 Trois Trois Quatre, #12 Indian War Dance, #1 Youre My Sunshine
Vaal, 10.08.2023, Race 8, Gallops, 1400m, Turf, R75.000, 15:55GMT+2
Race Summary: MINI COOP will finish off strongly if covered till late. FORT LAUDERDALE races before this – watch. GREGOR MACGREGOR finds problems but is capable on his day. SAGE KING dug down deep to win last time. All of the above are drawn on the inside. Respect WAQAAS and WHORLY WHORLY – they do well at this venue. BACK TO BASICS, SPRING WILL COME, ARCHIMIDES, TURN THE PAGE and THE CHOSEN ONE could pop up.
Selections:
#1 Mini Coop, #3 Fort Lauderdale, #11 Whorly Whorly, #10 Gregor Macgregor
Vaal, 10.08.2023, Race 9, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R75.000, 16:35GMT+2
Race Summary: LOLLAPALOOZA and FULLY LOADED (races before this) found problems last time but if trouble free could get into the reckoning. LULU’S BOY could get away from them and go in again. ROBERT BURNS will appreciate a fast early pace and could flash up late. TUSCAN GOLD races before this in new surroundings – watch. FEATHER THE NEST and LIL MISS MONEYBAGS cannot be ignored for money.
Selections:
#2 Robert Burns, #1 Lollapalooza, #3 Fully Loaded, #7 Lulu’s Boy
Best Win: #7 TEO TORRIATTE
Best Value Bet: #7 DIESEL’S SHADOW
Best Longshot: #7 DIESEL’S SHADOW
