RACE BY RACE PREVIEWS: VAAL CLASSIC@2024.01.23
Vaal Classic, 23.01.2024, Race 1, Gallops, 1000m, Turf, R125.000, 12:30GMT+2
Race Summary: ALMOND SEA was heavily backed when easily accounting for her field on debut. She should prove hard to beat in the opener. She holds stable companion GOLDEN CHANDELIER, who was hampered by a slipped saddle last time. She could fight out Exacta money with IT’S HER WAY who wasn’t far off in both her starts. PEACE OF MIND attracted money on debut but was not striding out and can improve.
Selections:
#1 Almond Sea, #4 It’s Her Way, #3 Golden Chandelier, #6 Peace Of Mind
Vaal Classic, 23.01.2024, Race 2, Gallops, 1600m, Turf, R105.000, 13:00GMT+2
Race Summary: MARAUDING HORDE eased in the betting on debut but ran a decent second. He will come on heaps and should go close. ATARIME showed good improvement on debut and could feature. FORCE DE DIEU is another improving with racing and has a Trifecta chance. ROCK OF BISMANTOVA ran below form last time and could make the frame.
Selections:
#9 Marauding Horde, #2 Atarime, #5 Force De Dieu, #3 Rock Of Bismantova
Vaal Classic, 23.01.2024, Race 3, Gallops, 1600m, Turf, R95.000, 13:35GMT+2
Race Summary: KISSING MACHINE was friendless in the betting market on debut but performed well. She will enjoy the extra and should be involved. FRANCES ETHEL drifted in the betting on debut but wasn’t disgraced – respect. SAY IT WITH ROSES is looking to improve. VILLA SEMAYA had had her chances but cannot be ignored for money. THE WORK OF LIFE has been disappointing but could get her act together. Watch newcomer ERUPT THE DAWN.
Selections:
#9 Kissing Machine, #8 Frances Ethel, #11 Say It With Roses, #4 Villa Semaya
Vaal Classic, 23.01.2024, Race 4, Gallops, 1600m, Turf, R110.000, 14:10GMT+2
Race Summary: Three runners carded to race before this could affect the outcome – EIFFEL TOWER, RYANS BOULEVARD and GODFATHER – all are capable so the form needs to be updated. WEATHER WIZARD was strongly fancied last time but was nabbed late. He drops in trip and could make amends. BOB’S YOUR UNCLE sports blinkers now and from pole position could get into the reckoning. VIVA SPIRIT and CIAN THE CONQUEROR can improve.
Selections:
#9 Weather Wizard, #1 Eiffel Tower, #6 Ryans Boulevard, #11 Godfather
Vaal Classic, 23.01.2024, Race 5, Gallops, 1450m, Turf, R85.000, 14:45GMT+2
Race Summary: FULLIAUTOMATIX is holding form and won his only try at this course and distance. He could double up. GIMME THE FLAME gets 7kg from him and should be a serious threat. NAZARE comes off a rest but if racing fit could challenge. JP TWO THOUSAND has been in and out lately and needs to put it in. CIRCLE OF GRACE and ANYTIME CHAMP can improve to earn.
Selections:
#9 Gimme The Flame, #4 Fulliautomatix, #3 Nazare, #2 Jp Two Thousand
Vaal Classic, 23.01.2024, Race 6, Gallops, 1450m, Turf, R95.000, 15:15GMT+2
Race Summary: COURAGEOUS could be the one as she brings solid form into the race having not missed the first two in her last three starts. She loves the course and distance and MIZZEN SAIL has franked the form the form of her maiden win. MIZZEN SAIL opened her account in good style and looks to be an improving sort. With a repeat effort of that last performance she can make the frame. MY LADY SOUL is set up to run a massive race having run to stronger company in her previous starts. More in it for minor money, LORNA LILLY could round off the Quartet at big odds.
Selections:
#4 Courageous, #1 My Lady Soul, #6 Mizzen Sail, #10 Lorna Lilly
Vaal Classic, 23.01.2024, Race 7, Gallops, 1450m, Turf, R120.000, 15:50GMT+2
Race Summary: VIX PRINCESS won a nice race on local debut at Turffontein. A well-bred daughter of Vercingetorix she may be on the up and looks handily weighted. Trainer Tony Peter also has RUNWAY BOMB who brings good form into the race. She is racing after a break but could be dangerous. WHAT A HONEY came in for support and bounced back to form in her last outing. She carries top weight but could be competitive as she is one from one over the course and distance. RIVER QUERARESS has had some tough tasks in the past. This could be the right race for her. STRANGE MAGIC and LUCY IN THE SKY can earn.
Selections:
#9 Vix Princess, #8 Runway Bomb, #1 What A Honey, #2 River Queraress
Vaal Classic, 23.01.2024, Race 8, Gallops, 1000m, Turf, R135.000, 16:25GMT+2
Race Summary: Trainer Johan Janse van Vuuren holds a strong hand with all four of his runners in with chances. KARANGETANG may be coming back to form. He has won over the course and distance and has drawn well. But MOONSHININGTHROUGH is best weighted and could be ready in her third start after a rest. She is fitted with blinkers which may also sharpen her up. WIND WATER and BON VIVANT aren’t out of it on best form either. ICE STAR holds consistent form for Fabian Habib who has his stable in hot form. She can score an overdue third career win with blinkers now fitted. BARD OF AVON cannot be discounted.
Selections:
#3 Moonshiningthrough, #6 Ice Star, #2 Karangetang, #1 Bard Of Avon
Vaal Classic, 23.01.2024, Race 9, Gallops, 1000m, Turf, R85.000, 17:00GMT+2
Race Summary: Competitive fillies and mares handicap to end. Both EMPRESS GAME and WAR QUEEN are knocking at the door and look ready to challenge for the win. However, they take each other on in an earlier engagement and that run needs to be checked. NETTLETON has won two of her last three and is improving with age. But she has a bit more to do at the weights and is dropping in distance. MIDNIGHT FUSION could take advantage as she is holding form, but along with LAW OF SUCCESS and IN THE ETHER, who both have claims, has drawn toward the inside. LADY ELLIOT may be the dark horse over 1000m.
Selections:
#8 Empress Game, #5 War Queen, #1 Nettleton, #4 Midnight Fusion
Best Win: #1 ALMOND SEA
Best Value Bet: #3 MOONSHININGTHROUGH
Best Longshot: #3 MOONSHININGTHROUGH
