RACE BY RACE PREVIEWS: VAAL@2023.11.07
Vaal, 07.11.2023, Race 1, Gallops, 1000m, Turf, R105.000, 12:15GMT+2
Race Summary: THING CALLED LOVE has been absent since a disappointing last start in July but showed enough on debut to suggest she ought to be competitive in a race of this nature on her reappearance. Both ETHANATOR and SECRET CHORD have the form, experience and recent race fitness to play a leading role. Watch the betting on newcomers SAKHALA IS’CATHULO and STATE OF PLAY.
Selections:
#3 Secret Chord, #2 Ethanator, #11 Thing Called Love, #7 Sakhala Is’Cathulo
Vaal, 07.11.2023, Race 2, Gallops, 1000m, Turf, R95.000, 12:45GMT+2
Race Summary: Newcomer SMASHING may lack experience but needn’t be special to make a winning debut. She is by Grade 1 Computaform Sprint winner Rafeef out of a mare who finished 5th in the same race, so there is enough speed in her pedigree to stand her in good stead. FLYING PUMA and SOMEDAY MAYBE have the form and experience to acquit themselves competitively, which WINTER PATH should do too with improvement expected after an encouraging comeback run. ANGEL WINGS and COMPACT POWER are others to make note of – watch the betting.
Selections:
#13 Smashing, #3 Winter Path, #7 Angel Wings, #2 Someday Maybe
Vaal, 07.11.2023, Race 3, Gallops, 2000m, Turf, R135.000, 13:20GMT+2
Race Summary: EXHALE finished a career-best 2nd when trying this trip last time and with any improvement could go one better. AL BAYREG and KAROO GOLD are bred to appreciate this sterner test of stamina so ought to pose a threat. TAXHAVEN and ANIMAL IMPACT are also likely to make progress over this distance. HOLOCENE, DISTRICT TWELVE and HAROLD THE DUKE could have a say too.
Selections:
#1 Exhale, #8 Karoo Gold, #3 Al Bayreg, #5 District Twelve
Vaal, 07.11.2023, Race 4, Gallops, 2000m, Turf, R85.000, 13:55GMT+2
Race Summary: Tricky. SKYFULL finished behind CORAPI last time but is better off at the weights. OVER TWO YOU and unexposed 3yo VIVA BRAZIL have the form to play leading roles over this distance. EVERY CLOUD and GREENLIGHT MAGIC are not without chances either under big weights. BROTHERHOODOFMAGIC has maintained form/consistency out the maidens and is another to consider. KAMBULU and MOUNT ETNA have scope to improve after their maiden wins. Go wide in the exotics!
Selections:
#5 Over Two You, #10 Brotherhoodofmagic, #6 Viva Brazil, #12 Skyfull
Vaal, 07.11.2023, Race 5, Gallops, 1700m, Turf, R115.000, 14:30GMT+2
Race Summary: Good race. KYOMAI and BILLY SPELLBOUND are highly regarded and have run in races a lot stronger than this. The 3yo former is likely to be competitive on his seasonal reappearance, though may have too much to do conceding 3kg to his older rival who has had the benefit of a recent comeback outing. Last-start winners WHISPERS OF WAR and FORT LAUDERDALE are capable of posing a threat, despite their penalties. However, MARDI GRAS and BLOOMINGTON ought to make their presence felt on these revised terms. ROYAL EDITION, WILLOW EXPRESS and LITTLE MIZ SWAGGER are others to consider.
Selections:
#7 Billy Spellbound, #1 Kyomai, #4 Fort Lauderdale, #5 Bloomington
Vaal, 07.11.2023, Race 6, Gallops, 1400m, Turf, R100.000, 15:05GMT+2
Race Summary: Good race. EIFFEL TOWER is an improving 3yo who ran well off this mark behind another progressive sophomore last time and, as this represents a slight ease in grade, is good value to resume winning ways. WHORLY WHORLY beat BACK TO BASICS, ALABAMA ANA, FULLY LOADED and NEVER TO CLEVER over this course and distance recently. They’re all closely matched on that form and on these revised weight terms, and are likely to be competitive. ARCHIMIDES, unexposed FALCON STRIKE, consistent GODFATHER and last-start winner PARKER GETRIX are also capable of getting involved. Tricky!
Selections:
#7 Eiffel Tower, #6 Fully Loaded, #4 Whorly Whorly, #2 Back To Basics
Vaal, 07.11.2023, Race 7, Gallops, 1400m, Turf, R150.000, 15:40GMT+2
Race Summary: Tricky. Grade 1 runner-up DAVE THE KING ran in a Grade 2 last time and wasn’t disgraced in finishing 5 lengths off the winner having set a fast pace. On that evidence, this drop back in distance could suit and he is weighted to win. GUY GIBSON, however, finished 3rd in a 2yo Grade 2 last term behind the Equus Champion 2yo before making an encouraging reappearance. He will have more to offer and could defy these conditions. PRINCEOFGREEN is another likely to improve after an eye-catching return to action. TSAR BOMBA, CABINET SHUFFLE and SUPER AGRA complete the shortlist.
Selections:
#10 Guy Gibson, #4 Dave The King, #11 Princeofgreen, #1 Cabinet Shuffle
Vaal, 07.11.2023, Race 8, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R110.000, 16:15GMT+2
Race Summary: TROPPO VELOCE was deemed good enough to run in a 2yo Grade 1 last season and despite failing to make an impression in that race, went some way to confirming the promise she showed as a juvenile by winning on her 3yo debut/seasonal reappearance – she ought to confirm her superiority over MISS HANNIGAN. However, both SECOND BREATH and last-start winner RUNWAY BOMB are likely to pose a threat. KINGDOM OF GOLD and LUCY IN THE SKY are others with earning potential.
Selections:
#4 Troppo Veloce, #3 Second Breath, #6 Runway Bomb, #2 Lucy In The Sky
Vaal, 07.11.2023, Race 9, Gallops, 1000m, Turf, R85.000, 16:45GMT+2
Race Summary: WHAT A TIGER won his last start on the Highveld before a successful KZN stint and on current form ought to play a leading role back at a course and distance over which he has already won. HAPPY ANALIA and DARK TIDE are closely matched on the form of their meeting behind Brosnan and are also likely to have a say in the finish. SAMOA, IN THE ETHER, LIFE GOES ON and reserve WAR QUEEN are all capable of staking a claim in the outcome.
Selections:
#5 What A Tiger, #8 Dark Tide, #7 Happy Analia, #17 War Queen
Best Win: #4 TROPPO VELOCE
Best Value Bet: #5 OVER TWO YOU
Best Longshot: #5 OVER TWO YOU
