South Africa Horse Racing Previews: VAAL CLASSIC@2023.10.26
Vaal Classic, 26.10.2023, Race 1, Gallops, 1000m, Turf, R95.000, 12:20GMT+2
Race Summary: Interchanging collateral form lines makes it tricky. On Micke’s Bomb run, JUMPING ANALIA comes out top but never strode out subsequently whereas WHITE HILLS appears held comfortably on that line of form. The latter appears to hold FLYING PUMA on their recent meeting. WAITFORGREENLIGHT has been strongly supported in her last few runs but has disappointed. However, the 4kg off her back could do the trick. SUGARY SWEET could get into the reckoning and any money for WINTER PATH must be respected.
Selections:
#3 Waitforgreenlight, #5 Jumping Analia, #2 White Hills, #1 Flying Puma
Vaal Classic, 26.10.2023, Race 2, Gallops, 1600m, Turf, R105.000, 12:55GMT+2
Race Summary: WEATHER WIZARD was quietly fancied on debut but lacked experience and finished off strongly. He will come on heaps and rates the one to beat. Biggest danger could be FORCE DE DIEU who found no support on debut but wasn’t disgraced, staying on well to get close. Runners looking to improve include JOHN WICK, AL BAYREG, BOB, KAROO GOLD and MASTER CHRISTMAS.
Selections:
#12 Weather Wizard, #8 Force De Dieu, #11 Master Christmas, #10 Karoo Gold
Vaal Classic, 26.10.2023, Race 3, Gallops, 1600m, Turf, R95.000, 13:30GMT+2
Race Summary: PINK DIAMOND (runner-up in her last two runs) and THE WORK OF LIFE (finished 3rd in her last 4 starts) appear the two best on recent form. However, the former is reported to be in need of the outing and the nod goes to THE WORK OF LIFE. Look for improvement from EMPRESSOFNORMANDY and VENETIAN MOONLIGHT who will relish the longer distance. REGAL DAUGHTER, CITY LIGHTS and FAIRY CIRCLE could get into the frame.
Selections:
#1 The Work Of Life, #2 Pink Diamond, #11 Venetian Moonlight, #9 Empressofnormandy
Vaal Classic, 26.10.2023, Race 4, Gallops, 1800m, Turf, R95.000, 14:05GMT+2
Race Summary: SOLO DIVA was beaten when a hot odds-on favourite last time but choked up and had to settle for 2nd place. She could make amends. UNITED WE STAND did well to get close on the Polytrack last time after encountering problems. PERFORM is doing better and has a Quartet chance. AZALEAS FOR ALL, ALL RISE, CRYSTAL MAIDEN and VILLA SEMAYA could upset.
Selections:
#2 Solo Diva, #1 United We Stand, #4 Perform, #5 Azaleas For All
Vaal Classic, 26.10.2023, Race 5, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R105.000, 14:40GMT+2
Race Summary: The two five-year-olds, COVERT OPERATOR and ESQUEVELLE, are five-time winners. They are in form and either could add a 6th. Seven-year-old LULU’S BOY is doing well and should be the one to catch going for the judge. TWICE THE STORM is a bit unpredictable lately but with stablemate WILLOW EXPRESS cannot be ignored. MESCAL and WRITTEN IN STONE could make the Quartet.
Selections:
#1 Covert Operator, #2 Esquevelle, #8 Lulu’s Boy, #3 Twice The Storm
Vaal Classic, 26.10.2023, Race 6, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R140.000, 15:15GMT+2
Race Summary: Good race. BLACK EGRET and POWER BROKER renew recent rivalry and the score is one apiece. It could get close again. RAVEN BLACK has won both starts as a gelding and should go close to complete a hat-trick. He could have a line through stablemate I Am Giant who beat RED BOMBER last time. The latter needed his first run as a gelding and has most scope for improvement. SMITH AND WESSON could prove best of the rest.
Selections:
#10 Raven Black, #7 Red Bomber, #5 Power Broker, #2 Black Egret
Vaal Classic, 26.10.2023, Race 7, Gallops, 1000m, Turf, R110.000, 15:50GMT+2
Race Summary: All 9 runners could take home a stake cheque. Stable companions ICE STAR (claims 3kg) and WINGS WITHIN ME are well above average and the money could show which is expected to prove the stable elect. On collateral form ROSE FOR TRIPPI, GLOBAL THUNDER and MIST IN SCOTLAND shouldn’t be far off one another. HEIRLOOM, MISS HANNIGAN and TROPPO VELOCE are capable of better. WINGS OF NIKE could sneak into a place.
Selections:
#9 Wings Within Me, #3 Ice Star, #1 Rose For Trippi, #2 Global Thunder
Vaal Classic, 26.10.2023, Race 8, Gallops, 1000m, Turf, R95.000, 16:25GMT+2
Race Summary: EMPRESS GAME comes off her maiden win but could double up this course and distance against not too strong opposition. LIL MISS MONEYBAGS did well in her post-maiden run and rates a serious threat. INVENTRIX does her best and cannot be ignored for money. CHROME TOURMALINE comes off a maiden victory but has been given time and should improve. Stable companions CUE THE REBEL (won maiden on the poly last time) and MIDNIGHT FUSION (comes off a rest) could feature. Many others are looking for a minor stake cheque.
Selections:
#11 Empress Game, #1 Lil Miss Moneybags, #2 Inventrix, #4 Chrome Tourmaline
Best Win: #2 SOLO DIVA
Best Value Bet: #11 EMPRESS GAME
Best Longshot: #11 EMPRESS GAME
