South Africa Horse Racing Previews: VAAL@2023.08.31
Vaal, 31.08.2023, Race 1, Gallops, 1000m, Turf, R75.000, 11:45GMT+2
Race Summary: DARING ACT is improving nicely and should be right there. WHAT A LUCY was close up in both her starts and could exit the maidens. CHILLI MARMALADE comes off a break after bleeding and if all is well could get into the action. JACK FROST and SIGNORA BOMBA could get into the frame. Watch the first-timers.
Selections:
#1 Daring Act, #10 What A Lucy, #7 Chilli Marmalade, #2 Jack Frost
Vaal, 31.08.2023, Race 2, Gallops, 1600m, Turf, R75.000, 12:15GMT+2
Race Summary: After campaigning in open company, MVELELO is back in the maidens and must be a big runner. FUSHIMI INARI has been knocking and should contest the finish. EXHALE enjoyed the extra last time whereas MAMBO LINE will appreciate the longer distance. VOLTE FACE is doing better and could find the money. Watch debutant MISHRAH.
Selections:
#4 Fushimi Inari, #5 Mvelelo, #7 Mishrah, #1 Volte Face
Vaal, 31.08.2023, Race 3, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R75.000, 12:45GMT+2
Race Summary: EIFFEL TOWER found no support on debut but did well to get close. He will relish the longer distance. POCKET WATCH never got into it last time but he is a lot better than that – respect. GRIFFIN PARK drifted in the betting on debut – look for big improvement. CIRCLE OF GRACE disappointed in his last two starts and could do better. TRIP TO STATES could improve. Watch newcomer AL BAYREG.
Selections:
#9 Pocket Watch, #6 Eiffel Tower, #7 Griffin Park, #3 Circle Of Grace
Vaal, 31.08.2023, Race 4, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R75.000, 13:15GMT+2
Race Summary: OUT THE MIST found no support on debut but did well to take second. She finished 1.5-lengths in front of JUMPING ANALIA and should confirm, however, the latter’s stablemate STORM PLAYER pulled up fatigued when a good second on debut and should give a good account of herself. STRIKING ANGEL could get into the mix. Watch first-timer SPIRIT IN THE WIND.
Selections:
#10 Out The Mist, #12 Storm Player, #7 Jumping Analia, #13 Striking Angel
Vaal, 31.08.2023, Race 5, Gallops, 1800m, Turf, R85.000, 13:55GMT+2
Race Summary: Only eight runners but it looks to be closely contested. AVOONTOAST has collateral form with slow starter PATON’S TEARS and if ready could come out tops. Versatile OPERA GLASS cannot be ignored for honours. BALLROOM BLISS ran another genuine race last week and could get into the mix. BOLD FORTUNE is another to respect and RARATONGA ROSE is better than her last run.
Selections:
#4 Avoontoast, #2 Opera Glass, #5 Paton’s Tears, #3 Bold Fortune
Vaal, 31.08.2023, Race 6, Gallops, 1800m, Turf, R75.000, 14:30GMT+2
Race Summary: This is not a strong field and recent maiden winners PRIMROSE PATH and LEONESSA could feature prominently. LIVERPOOL LEGEND must have a chance in this class. COUNTESS DANZA won last week so despite a penalty to come could get into the reckoning. WINNING QUEEN and SPIRIT PRINCESS could pull it off.
Selections:
#3 Leonessa, #2 Primrose Path, #6 Liverpool Legend, #7 Countess Danza
Vaal, 31.08.2023, Race 7, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R70.000, 15:05GMT+2
Race Summary: MOVING IN raced in stronger company but CHOCOLATE BOMB looks stable elect on riding engagements. The latter won at the second time of asking but has lots to come. RUNWAY BOMB found problems in her post-maiden when narrowly beaten – one for the short list. FULLY LOADED could make his presence felt. CORNWALL and NICE MOVE could need it.
Selections:
#4 Chocolate Bomb, #1 Moving In, #7 Runway Bomb, #3 Fully Loaded
Vaal, 31.08.2023, Race 8, Gallops, 1400m, Turf, R75.000, 15:40GMT+2
Race Summary: Difficult to assess. VIVA DE JANEIRO looked promising but only got off the mark at his sixth attempt. He changed stables thereafter. He has top weight but could go in again and produce true potential. COMING IN HOT gets going late and could time it right this time. WHORLY WHORLY and WAQAAS are course and distance specialists and either could take the honours. TOP MAN won on debut at 33-1 and could be anything. AFTER HOURS could find a place.
Selections:
#1 Viva De Janeiro, #3 Top Man, #6 Whorly Whorly, #4 Coming In Hot
Vaal, 31.08.2023, Race 9, Gallops, 1400m, Turf, R75.000, 16:20GMT+2
Race Summary: DUENNA opened her account with a facile victory and has plenty more to come – the one to beat. BIG CITY GIRL returned to winning ways last time and could go in again. COUNT YOUR CHANCES did well in her post-maiden and could collect another cheque. BUSHVELD has her problems but if putting everything in could take the honours. ALABAMA ANNA and MEET THE CAPTAIN could prove best of the rest.
Selections:
#5 Duenna, #10 Big City Girl, #6 Count Your Chances, #7 Bushveld
Best Win: #1 DARING ACT
Best Value Bet: #3 LEONESSA
Best Longshot: #3 LEONESSA
