RACE BY RACE PREVIEWS: VAAL CLASSIC@2023.12.28
Vaal Classic, 28.12.2023, Race 1, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R95.000, 12:20GMT+2
Race Summary: EMPRESSOFNORMANDY showed vast improvement last time but needs to confirm. ARCTIC COMMANDER hasn’t been far back and could get into the mix. WAITFORGREENLIGHT has been costly to follow but could open her account in this field. LADY GREENSLEEVES shouldn’t be far off. PRINCESS LOLA, INEVITABLE (claims 4kg), SOMEDAY MAYBE, SOUND MACHINE and STORM SECRET could get into the money.
Selections:
#5 Lady Greensleeves, #1 Waitforgreenlight, #3 Princess Lola, #2 Empressofnormandy
Vaal Classic, 28.12.2023, Race 2, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R105.000, 12:55GMT+2
Race Summary: JOKER MAN has the form and looks hard to beat – he rates the best bet on a tricky card. VAN MEIJEL comes off a break after encountering problems and if not in need of it could challenge. TRIP TO STATES and SCARLET RED could get into the Trifecta. Others are looking for minor money.
Selections:
#1 Joker Man, #2 Van Meijel, #11 Scarlet Red, #4 Trip To States
Vaal Classic, 28.12.2023, Race 3, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R85.000, 13:30GMT+2
Race Summary: NETTLETON is maturing and could follow up. GRAPE SHOT is improving but races before this – watch. SIGRID SWING could get into the money. Six-time winner GOLDEN ASPEN claims 4kg and could take advantage of the situation. RUN FOR ISLA and MISS SHAIVI could get into the Quartet.
Selections:
#6 Nettleton, #3 Grape Shot, #5 Golden Aspen, #2 Sigrid Swing
Vaal Classic, 28.12.2023, Race 4, Gallops, 1000m, Turf, R110.000, 14:05GMT+2
Race Summary: Stable companions to dominate – CHOCOLATE BOMB will prefer the minimum trip and could get away. TIME FO ORCHIDS wasn’t disgraced in new surroundings and should challenge. DR FAUSTUS and LINKIN NAVIGATOR have ability but could need their runs. One who could upset them is RED HOT ROSE – she needed her last run badly and will come on heaps. AXEL COLLINS could take home a cheque.
Selections:
#7 Time Fo Orchids, #2 Chocolate Bomb, #8 Red Hot Rose, #4 Dr Faustus
Vaal Classic, 28.12.2023, Race 5, Gallops, 1800m, Turf, R115.000, 14:40GMT+2
Race Summary: Competitive. MONDIAL was blowing last time and could make it 3 wins from 5 starts. GEORGE HANDEL is on the up and could go in again. VIVA BRAZIL just beat TROIS TROIS QUATRE last time when both overcame tardy starts it could get close between them again. NOTHINGELSEMATTERS could feature off a low weight. TWIN TURBO and FOSTINOVO could place.
Selections:
#6 Mondial, #7 George Handel, #8 Viva Brazil, #2 Trois Trois Quatre
Vaal Classic, 28.12.2023, Race 6, Gallops, 1600m, Turf, R95.000, 15:15GMT+2
Race Summary: A PLACE IN THE SUN finished a length in front of QUANTUM last time with SWEET BASIL a further nose behind – they meet her on 1.5kg better terms – it could get close all round. STORMY CHOICE (tries further still), BE REAL (fatigued last time), MIGHTY GODDESS (blinkers back on) and SPRING IN HEAVEN could take home money.
Selections:
#5 Sweet Basil, #7 A Place In The Sun, #1 Quantum, #8 Be Real
Vaal Classic, 28.12.2023, Race 7, Gallops, 1450m, Turf, R100.000, 15:50GMT+2
Race Summary: Good race. WYZEACT is having his peak run and should make a bold bid. SUNSHINE DAY is holding form and her penultimate effort shows her true ability. COMMAND PILOT needed his last outing and must come into the reckoning. WHIRLYBIRD is in form and should now relish the extra. Stablemates CHASING HAPPINESS and SAN SIMON could run into the money.
Selections:
#2 Wyzeact, #4 Sunshine Day, #3 Command Pilot, #8 Whirlybird
Vaal Classic, 28.12.2023, Race 8, Gallops, 1500m, Turf, R100.000, 16:25GMT+2
Race Summary: JURY’S OUT is maturing and the combo is on a hat-trick. Both SOUTHERN BLAZE and MITCH GOT HIS WISH needed their last runs and should make their presence felt. PERILLA, SAGE KING, JOHN WICK and DUBAI HILLS are more for the shortlist.
Selections:
#7 Jury’s Out, #5 Southern Blaze, #8 Mitch Got His Wish, #1 Perilla
Best Win: #1 JOKER MAN
Best Value Bet: #2 WYZEACT
Best Longshot: #2 WYZEACT
