RACE BY RACE PREVIEWS: VAAL@2024.08.21
Vaal, 21.08.2024, Race 1, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R90.000, 12:20GMT+2
Race Summary: Well-bred FRANCILIEN justified market support on debut with a fast-finishing 2nd over track and trip. She would’ve come on appreciably with the benefit of that outing and should go one better if making the expected improvement. LINE IN THE SKY has shown promise in both outings and is likely to acquit herself competitively, if this run doesn’t come too soon. CAT O’CLOCK wouldn’t be winning out of turn and has the form and experience to contest the finish. She has been costly to follow. POTATO SALAD caught the eye on debut 377 days ago.
Selections:
#11 Francilien, #1 Cat O’Clock, #13 Zalta Star, #5 Line In The Sky
Vaal, 21.08.2024, Race 2, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R90.000, 12:55GMT+2
Race Summary: This won’t take much winning. Well-bred newcomers MUSICAL SCORE and BLIZZARD SNOW needn’t be special to play leading roles on debut. Preference is for the latter who is closely related to several Stakes performers and will benefit from a 2.5kg sex allowance. ALONE TIME and WHAT A PREDATOR will know more about it after pleasing introductions so can’t be underestimated. PASS THE BATON and BRIGHTEST BLAZE appeal most of the remainder.
Selections:
#13 Blizzard Snow, #11 Musical Score, #12 Pass The Baton, #3 Alone Time
Vaal, 21.08.2024, Race 3, Gallops, 2000m, Turf, R90.000, 13:30GMT+2
Race Summary: PLUM BLOSSOM has improved with blinkers fitted to finish 3rd in consecutive recent starts, the latest against male opposition over 2400m. She should fare better against only female rivals, so looks good value to open her account in this modest maiden. SILKY JET, QUELLO CHE and AMBITIOUS LADY, who switched stables recently, are unknown quantities over this distance but could make life difficult for the selection if improving for the step up to this trip. ENCHANTED ROYAL finished a career-best 3rd in her only appearance over 2000m so must be respected.
Selections:
#1 Plum Blossom, #4 Silky Jet, #5 Enchanted Royal, #6 Quello Che
Vaal, 21.08.2024, Race 4, Gallops, 2000m, Turf, R90.000, 14:05GMT+2
Race Summary: Lightly raced 4yo geldings HIGH QUEUE and ORANJEMUND have acquitted themselves well over 1700m and 1800m, respectively. Both are maturing and could improve stretched out to 2000m. MASTER TIK TOK finished 2nd over this course and distance in his last start and need only repeat that performance to fight for that elusive maiden victory. THE CANE TRAIN has made marked improvement after gelding. He was 2nd in back-to-back recent outings (1600m and 1800m) and the extra 200m could eke out that little bit needed to get his head in front. Respect QUELIMANE.
Selections:
#13 The Cane Train, #1 High Queue, #4 Master Tik Tok, #3 Oranjemund
Vaal, 21.08.2024, Race 5, Gallops, 1000m, Turf, R80.000, 14:40GMT+2
Race Summary: MUNCHKIN acquitted himself well in back-to-back recent starts at a higher level and should take advantage of this drop in class. He renews rivalry with PENDRAGON on better weight terms. JOHN WICK returned to form with an encouraging 2nd over 1000m recently and need only confirm on that improvement to play a leading role. Both CAPTAIN EFFICIENT and COMMANDER OF ALL also have the means to make their presence felt.
Selections:
#1 Munchkin, #3 John Wick, #4 Pendragon, #5 Captain Efficient
Vaal, 21.08.2024, Race 6, Gallops, 1600m, Turf, R100.000, 15:15GMT+2
Race Summary: VOLARE E MAMBO is a model of consistency with competitive form at this level, especially over this distance. She seems capable of giving weight and a beating to her rivals. MICKE’S BOMB was runner-up in 3 of her last 4 starts so wouldn’t be winning out of turn, but she lacks references over this distance with just 1 unplaced outing over 1600m. Improving last-start winner MARY READ will relish the step up to a mile on the evidence of her 1450m maiden success. However, ACROSS THE POND could pose a bigger threat with improvement expected on her 3yo/seasonal debut.
Selections:
#1 Volare E Mambo, #4 Across The Pond, #2 Mary Read, #3 Micke’s Bomb
Vaal, 21.08.2024, Race 7, Gallops, 1600m, Turf, R80.000, 15:50GMT+2
Race Summary: Well-bred, lightly raced GIMMEACHOICE is far from the finished article. His second over this course and distance last month was in a stronger race. A resultant 1-point penalty and 62kg on his back may not be enough to halt his momentum. MOCHA FRAPPE fits a similar profile and could give the selection most to fear. Veteran WHORLY WHORLY and consistent BREATH OF MAGIC aren’t underestimated, while returning DJ JUNIOR has won twice after a layoff so can’t be taken lightly either.
Selections:
#1 Gimmeachoice, #5 Mocha Frappe, #2 Whorly Whorly, #4 Breath Of Magic
Vaal, 21.08.2024, Race 8, Gallops, 1600m, Turf, R80.000, 16:25GMT+2
Race Summary: TWOSTEP QUEEN has run her best races from the front and will be hard to peg back if allowed a soft lead. FREE IN SEATTLE edged a 1500m meeting on this course with that rival last month and is likely to play another leading role on identical terms. Unexposed GINGER DELIGHT confirmed the promise of her debut win by staying on after a slow start to finish on the heels of those rivals and should have more to offer over this extended trip on the evidence of that display. She is unexposed and has the most scope for improvement – it should pay to follow her progress. Beware COUNT YOUR CHANCES.
Selections:
#2 Ginger Delight, #3 Twostep Queen, #1 Free In Seattle, #6 Count Your Chances
Best Win: #1 PLUM BLOSSOM
Best Value Bet:
Best Longshot: #13 BLIZZARD SNOW
