South Africa Horse Racing Previews: VAAL CLASSIC@2023.09.07
Vaal Classic, 07.09.2023, Race 1, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R75.000, 12:30GMT+2
Race Summary: SUNSHINE DAY was beaten when odds on to make a winning debut in new surrounding. She could make amends. ARCTIC COMMANDER finished third in her last two starts and could improve, however, FLYING PUMA was on top of her last time after having issues. She has a serious crack at winning. PASS THE BATON shouldn’t be far off them if putting all in. SOUTHERN STYLE is an honest earner and cannot be discarded.
Selections:
#5 Sunshine Day, #3 Flying Puma, #6 Arctic Commander, #1 Southern Style
Vaal Classic, 07.09.2023, Race 2, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R75.000, 13:05GMT+2
Race Summary: TYSON THE BRAVE is doing well and is ready to strike. POLICY OF TRUTH ran on steadily last time and if behaving pre-race should give a good account of himself. He finished over 2 lengths in front of VIVA SPIRIT and should confirm – both are drawn wide out. BREATH OF MAGIC is looking for Quartet money. HEART OF THIEVES improved in his second run and with RIGHT TURN ON RED, could go on.
Selections:
#4 Tyson The Brave, #3 Policy Of Truth, #10 Viva Spirit, #5 Breath Of Magic
Vaal Classic, 07.09.2023, Race 3, Gallops, 1800m, Turf, R75.000, 13:40GMT+2
Race Summary: HOUSE OF ROMANOV was narrowly beaten in his first run in new surroundings and if settling could open his account. SCARLETT PIMPERNEL pulled up lame last time but did well to take second place – one for the short list. He holds IN A BLUE MOON who is looking to improve. PUERTO PLATA comes off a break and could just be short a run. ANTANANARIVO, SIRACHA, I SPIED and AZALEAS FOR ALL are looking for minor money.
Selections:
#7 Scarlett Pimpernel, #6 House Of Romanov, #1 Puerto Plata, #8 In A Blue Moon
Vaal Classic, 07.09.2023, Race 4, Gallops, 2000m, Turf, R75.000, 14:15GMT+2
Race Summary: Tricky with interchanging form. KIND JUDY is a lot better than her last few runs but needs to get back on track. She is held by BURMESE TIARA on their recent meeting. IDEAL FUTURE ran a forward race after a break and if maintaining the form should be right there. PRETTY IN PEARLS showed vast improvement last time and if confirming the form should contest the finish. Stable companions LIVERPOOL LEGEND and LAST CHEER as well as SPIRIT PRINCESS and BEGUILING are capable of popping up.
Selections:
#4 Burmese Tiara, #10 Ideal Future, #1 Kind Judy, #3 Pretty In Pearls
Vaal Classic, 07.09.2023, Race 5, Gallops, 1600m, Turf, R90.000, 14:50GMT+2
Race Summary: Good race. PERFECT WITNESS makes her track debut and together with Gavin Lerena could complete a hat-trick. CRIMSON PRINCESS is honest and won’t go down without a fight. SILENT WAR is in top form and looking for a hat-trick. BRAVE VIKING is no slouch but could just need it. HOME OF THE BRAVE and RIVER QUERARESS are more to consider.
Selections:
#3 Perfect Witness, #1 Crimson Princess, #8 Silent War, #5 Brave Viking
Vaal Classic, 07.09.2023, Race 6, Gallops, 1600m, Turf, R80.000, 15:25GMT+2
Race Summary: Competitive. RAIN OR SHINE has drawn widest but needed his last outing – he could go in again. Stablemate PURPLE PITCHER forms a decent back-up. NAPOLEON is fit and well and could complete a double off a handy weight. ARCHIMIDES won in blinkers and will be more comfortable with them – respect. MO THE MAN, BLOOMINGTON and forever young NORDIC REBEL are more for the short list.
Selections:
#4 Rain Or Shine, #9 Napoleon, #6 Mo The Man, #5 Archimides
Vaal Classic, 07.09.2023, Race 7, Gallops, 1000m, Turf, R80.000, 15:55GMT+2
Race Summary: Difficult to assess. Top weight COVERT OPERATOR never recovered from a slow start last time and finished behind stable companions AXEL COLLINS and SIBERIAN STEEL. WAR QUEEN won at the second time of asking and has scope for improvement. PENDRAGON, SUCCESSFUL SECRET and SAMOA are all capable of pulling it off.
Selections:
#8 War Queen, #1 Covert Operator, #2 Siberian Steel, #4 Axel Collins
Vaal Classic, 07.09.2023, Race 8, Gallops, 1000m, Turf, R70.000, 16:25GMT+2
Race Summary: BROSNAN never got into it last time. He could improve now that the blinkers are on – respect. STORMY CHOICE was rested after her maiden victory but runs before this. She could come on in heaps – watch. IN THE ETHER flashed up last time after a break and could have the better of RED CARPET GIRL who cannot be ignored. DARK TIDE is honest and is a definite runner for inclusion in all exotic bets. Others could get into the frame.
Selections:
#1 Brosnan, #2 Stormy Choice, #6 Dark Tide, #5 In The Ether
Best Win: #4 TYSON THE BRAVE
Best Value Bet: #4 RAIN OR SHINE
Best Longshot: #4 RAIN OR SHINE
