RACE BY RACE PREVIEWS: VAAL@2024.10.17
Vaal, 17.10.2024, Race 1, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R95.000, 12:15GMT+2
Race Summary: CAT O’CLOCK wouldn’t be winning out of turn. Her experience will stand her in good stead. MISS LIA and SONIC JET showed promise as juveniles and are open to improvement after time off. Well-bred newcomers ARTIC SILVER, SHAMOON and WINTER MIRACLE are worth a market check.
Selections:
#2 Cat O’Clock, #9 Miss Lia, #4 Sonic Jet, #11 Winter Miracle
Vaal, 17.10.2024, Race 2, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R105.000, 12:50GMT+2
Race Summary: GREEN SAPPHIRE acquitted herself well in defeat in two starts as a juvenile against quality opposition. She’s open to any amount of improvement on her reappearance so it could pay to follow her progress. POTBERRIE and PURSUIT OF FAME have the form, experience and race fitness to expose any chinks in that rival’s armour. Newcomers CAN YOU DANSE, ENFLAME and ON TARGET needn’t be too special to make their presence felt.
Selections:
#14 Green Sapphire, #7 Pursuit Of Fame, #12 On Target, #6 Potberrie
Vaal, 17.10.2024, Race 3, Gallops, 1100m, Turf, R97.500, 13:25GMT+2
Race Summary: SO SEDUCTIVE and THE NAVY LARK have nothing to prove at this level and should once again be competitive. Debut winner KINGS AGAIN has more scope to improve and shouldn’t be underestimated on her reappearance. STARS AND BRA’S is also open to further progress on her comeback. ROYAL HORIZON and GODSPEED complete the shortlist.
Selections:
#1 So Seductive, #6 Kings Again, #3 The Navy Lark, #5 Stars And Bra’s
Vaal, 17.10.2024, Race 4, Gallops, 1700m, Turf, R95.000, 14:00GMT+2
Race Summary: LACEWING and GLAMOROUS LADY have filled the runners-up berth in too many consecutive recent outings, so neither would be winning out of turn. ANCIENT WISDOM, AMBITIOUS LADY and EMPRESS WU, who was backed last time, are likely to pose the biggest challenge. PLUM BLOSSOM appeals most of the remainder.
Selections:
#6 Glamorous Lady, #5 Lacewing, #7 Ancient Wisdom, #1 Ambitious Lady
Vaal, 17.10.2024, Race 5, Gallops, 1700m, Turf, R85.000, 14:40GMT+2
Race Summary: LUTHULI caught the eye when running on from last to finish under 2-lengths off the winner over 1450m at a higher level last time. He represents the value here in his peak outing over an extended trip off a 2-point lower mark and with his rider taking 4kg off. FUTUREWOLFF, THAMBI, and JAPANESE MAPLE are closely matched on recent form and there isn’t much separating them on revised terms. AMERICAN BISCUIT has course-and-distance experience while VAVA VEGAS is an unknown entity over this distance.
Selections:
#1 Luthuli, #3 Futurewolff, #4 Thambi, #5 American Biscuit
Vaal, 17.10.2024, Race 6, Gallops, 1700m, Turf, R110.000, 15:15GMT+2
Race Summary: Stable companions MOOLA MAN and POCKET WATCH are consistent at this level and should acquit themselves competitively, though a slight preference is for the latter from gate 2. Last-start winner ROYAL EDITION remains competitive under a 3-point penalty while TOTAL SURRENDER should pose more of a threat on 1,5kg better terms. Hard-knocker CELTIC RUSH and recent hat-trick scorer EIGER SANCTION, even at this level, aren’t without a chance.
Selections:
#2 Pocket Watch, #5 Royal Edition, #4 Total Surrender, #10 Celtic Rush
Vaal, 17.10.2024, Race 7, Gallops, 1400m, Turf, R85.000, 15:50GMT+2
Race Summary: CALIDA took advantage of a drop in the ratings to finish a close-up third at a higher level last time. He was penalised 4 points but will appreciate this drop in class. MICKE’S BOMB is refitted with blinkers and warrants respect over this extended trip with in-form Piere Strydom booked. TRIED AND TRUE caught the eye in KZN in her first start for this stable with this headgear fitted. Veterans WRITTEN IN STONE and DARK TIDE continue to acquit themselves admirably and should make their presence felt again. Keep safe COUNT YOUR CHANCES.
Selections:
#1 Calida, #6 Tried And True, #7 Written In Stone, #13 Count Your Chances
Vaal, 17.10.2024, Race 8, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R85.000, 16:25GMT+2
Race Summary: Well-bred HIS LORDSHIP returned from a rest during which he was gelded to shed his maiden tag with a course-and-distance success and the form of that victory has been franked by two subsequent winners from that field. He is open to further progress and will benefit from his rider’s 4kg claim. Stablemates VEGAS HI RISE, WARM WINTER NITE and COMMANDER OF ALL have the form and experience at this level to challenge the selection. KING OF NUMBERS and PRIZED PLATINUM need only confirm the form and improvement of their most recent displays to stake a claim.
Selections:
#4 His Lordship, #7 Captain Efficient, #6 Warm Winter Nite, #11 Commander Of All
Best Win: #4 HIS LORDSHIP
Best Value Bet: #1 LUTHULI
Best Longshot: #1 LUTHULI
