RACE BY RACE PREVIEWS: VAAL CLASSIC@2024.06.20
Vaal Classic, 20.06.2024, Race 1, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R90.000, 12:30GMT+2
Race Summary: CRIMSON CLOUD was returning from a layoff when finishing a close-up 4th over 1160m and will, with improved fitness on her side, be hard to peg back if building on that progress. KALIKAA has a bit to find on that form but would’ve come on appreciably with the benefit of that encouraging Highveld introduction. TOGETHER AGAIN and PERINI PALACE have the form and experience to keep those rivals honest. However, a bigger threat is likely to come from well-bred newcomers KIA KAHA and SHE’S A BOMBER, both of whom are respected on debut before any betting/market clues.
Selections:
#9 Crimson Cloud, #2 Kalikaa, #12 She’s A Bomber, #3 Together Again
Vaal Classic, 20.06.2024, Race 2, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R90.000, 13:00GMT+2
Race Summary: Youngster SKITTLES SKIES outran his long odds when finishing 2nd on debut on the straight course. He would’ve come on appreciably with the benefit of that experience and needn’t improve much to go one better in this modest lineup, even from the widest No 13 stall. THE OCTAGON hasn’t been seen since January when blotting his copybook after 2 promising previous outings. He returns as a gelding and is open to improvement, so could pose a threat to his 2yo rival from an inside gate. OKLAHOMA TWISTER, BREGARDT, STALWART and recently relocated KING OF NUMBERS, have all shown enough to earn a cheque.
Selections:
#11 Skittles Skies, #1 The Octagon, #4 Oklahoma Twister, #2 King Of Numbers
Vaal Classic, 20.06.2024, Race 3, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R92.500, 13:35GMT+2
Race Summary: Tricky. SUPER AWESOME bounced back to form last time and finished 4 lengths ahead of RAINBOW REWARD. The latter is 2.5kg better off and open to improvement in his attempt over this extended trip with the blinkers removed. Stablemate FOSTINOVO has maintained his form and consistency over distances up to 1800m. However, he is ideally suited to this trip and must be kept onside, especially from an inside gate with headgear refitted. ALABAMA ANNA is another effective over this trip, so isn’t underestimated off a reduced mark. Debut winner KEY NEWS is open to any amount of improvement. Good race!
Selections:
#11 Key News, #8 Alabama Anna, #2 Rainbow Reward, #1 Super Awesome
Vaal Classic, 20.06.2024, Race 4, Gallops, 1000m, Turf, R100.000, 14:10GMT+2
Race Summary: Good race. EXCHANGE STUDENT bounced back to her best to win a similar contest on Turffontein’s Inside track last time and a resultant 4-point penalty isn’t likely to halt her momentum. GREEN FLASH, however, is weighted to reverse that form on these revised terms and she will appreciate reverting to this shorter trip after a disappointing last start over 1160m. WOMAN OF POWER should also enjoy the return to 1000m and could represent the value in the race. LAW OF SUCCESS and VIRGINIA BEACH are capable sprinters with solid credentials – they should pose more of a threat on these terms. Tricky!
Selections:
#5 Woman Of Power, #7 Green Flash, #1 Exchange Student, #6 Law Of Success
Vaal Classic, 20.06.2024, Race 5, Gallops, 1000m, Turf, R80.000, 14:45GMT+2
Race Summary: Wide-open sprint handicap. GOLDEN ASPEN has won back-to-back starts over further and her rider’s 4kg allowance negates the 6-point penalty for her recent 1450m success. WAITFORGREENLIGHT fared better than re-opposing rivals MIDNIGHT FUSION, HEIRLOOM (engaged at an earlier meeting), JASIRI and SMELTING (reserve) in a similar contest on her handicap debut last month. She, too, benefits from the 4kg allowance of her rider so could be worth siding with. WESTERN WISHES has acquitted herself well in KZN handicaps over this distance and shouldn’t be underestimated off a reduced mark. Others are also capable!
Selections:
#7 Waitforgreenlight, #13 The Navy Lark, #5 Golden Aspen, #8 Western Wishes
Vaal Classic, 20.06.2024, Race 6, Gallops, 1800m, Turf, R110.000, 15:20GMT+2
Race Summary: THE BRIEF has been rejuvenated by a recent stable/trainer switch and on the evidence of a dominant last-start victory over 2000m, is capable of defying his 7-point penalty and wide draw to win again. Class-droppers WHAFEEF and ANOTHER LEVEL, as well as recently relocated (from the Eastern Cape) MEDLERS TART, have the form and experience at this level to make life difficult for the selection. MILLAHUE, in his peak outing, BATTLEGROUND, who has run well in his 2 starts over this shorter trip, and IMPERIAL MASTER, who had excuses last time, also have the means to get involved. Good race!
Selections:
#6 The Brief, #11 Millahue, #1 Whafeef, #5 Another Level
Vaal Classic, 20.06.2024, Race 7, Gallops, 1600m, Turf, R85.000, 15:55GMT+2
Race Summary: Consistent ELEMBEE performed well under a 3-point penalty in a 1750m KZN handicap at this level earlier in the month. She was beaten just 1.90 lengths by the winner, to whom she conceded 3kg, and could prove hard to beat if repeating that performance on her Highveld return off an unchanged mark. HILLARY STEP finished behind that rival in a 1600m handicap last month but ought to get closer with the aid of her rider’s 4kg allowance. Fellow 3yo fillies REGAL DAUGHTER and DIMAKO’S JET may pose more a threat, while SPRINGER and SNEAK PREVIEW have both shown enough to make their presence felt too.
Selections:
#1 Elembee, #4 Regal Daughter, #7 Dimako’s Jet, #3 Hillary Step
Vaal Classic, 20.06.2024, Race 8, Gallops, 1450m, Turf, R85.000, 16:35GMT+2
Race Summary: Good race. OPEN HIGHWAY has raised his game in 3 recent starts beyond over 1200m, winning twice. The form of his last-start 1400m victory is working out well and a 3-point penalty may not be enough to prevent him from winning again (and preserving an unbeaten course-and-distance record). On the form of that race SOUTHERN BLAZE (2kg better off for a 1.20-length defeat) will pose a threat on these revised terms. Returning COURAGEOUS CAT, hat-trick seeking 3yo THE PLAYBOY BOMBER (both of whom are drawn wide), and 2yo last-start winner PEACE TREATY have scope to improve so complete the shortlist.
Selections:
#1 Open Highway, #5 Southern Blaze, #3 The Playboy Bomber, #14 Peace Treaty
Best Win: #1 OPEN HIGHWAY
Best Value Bet: #7 WAITFORGREENLIGHT
Best Longshot: #7 WAITFORGREENLIGHT
