RACE BY RACE PREVIEWS: VAAL@2024.10.24
Vaal, 24.10.2024, Race 1, Gallops, 1400m, Turf, R80.000, 12:15GMT+2
Race Summary: Consistent CAT O’CLOCK wouldn’t be winning out of turn and the return to this extended trip should suit. JILTED has shown enough to play a leading role and could redeem herself after a recent mishap. SWEET SOPHIA acquitted herself well on debut and will have more to offer with that experience under her belt. Newcomer MISCHIEF MANAGED is out of a Grade 1-winning mare and an accomplished work rider is aboard, so her chances shouldn’t be underestimated. Watch the betting.
Selections:
#1 Cat O’Clock, #4 Jilted, #9 Mischief Managed, #11 Sweet Sophia
Vaal, 24.10.2024, Race 2, Gallops, 1500m, Turf, R110.000, 12:50GMT+2
Race Summary: MIA MOO took advantage of favourable conditions to make a winning comeback in a similar contest over 1200m and she is weighted to follow up on these terms, especially with Craig Zackey retained in the irons. She gets the nod ahead of stablemate WORLD OF ALICE who is open to improvement as a 3yo after a promising juvenile campaign which culminated in a fourth-place finish in a 2yo Grade 1 over 1600m. Consistent HAPPY MO has the form and experience to challenge those Tarry runners. IT’S HER WAY and FREE IN SEATTLE complete the shortlist.
Selections:
#1 Mia Moo, #4 World Of Alice, #3 Happy Mo, #5 Free In Seattle
Vaal, 24.10.2024, Race 3, Gallops, 1400m, Turf, R105.000, 13:25GMT+2
Race Summary: OKLAHOMA TWISTER, SOLAR SAIL and DANUBE will be competitive if building on the improvement of recent performances. Returning BEYNAC is open to any amount of improvement after 2 introductory outings as a juvenile. However, preference is for ENFORCE LAW who was a fast-finishing 3rd on debut over track and trip. KALEESH CYBORG won’t be a maiden for too long and seems best equipped of the raced runners to expose any chinks in the selection’s armour. Well-bred newcomers FUTURE KING and SATYAGRAHA, and likely improver ARCTIC OWL after a pleasing debut, are others of interest. Watch the betting!
Selections:
#14 Enforce Law, #2 Kaleesh Cyborg, #16 Satyagraha, #3 Solar Sail
Vaal, 24.10.2024, Race 4, Gallops, 1100m, Turf, R110.000, 14:00GMT+2
Race Summary: CYMRIC confirmed the promise he showed as a juvenile with an encouraging comeback second and there should be more to come from him, especially with the tongue-tie retained. BUFFALO STORM CODY fits a similar profile and ought to play a leading role in receipt of 3kg from that rival. Best-weighted ELEGANT ICE and the lightly raced 4yo duo of BIOFARMER and MOVING IN aren’t taken lightly, while KINSHIN SHA is better than his last start suggests and could fare better back at ‘home’ on the Vaal track. Unexposed maiden HEMISPHERE is one to keep an eye on after a lengthy absence.
Selections:
#2 Cymric, #5 Buffalo Storm Cody, #4 Elegant Ice, #3 Kinshin Sha
Vaal, 24.10.2024, Race 5, Gallops, 1700m, Turf, R85.000, 14:35GMT+2
Race Summary: ROMAN’S REVENGE wasn’t winning out of turn when a wide-margin maiden victor over 1800m on this track and, with further improvement expected, he ought to acquit himself competitively on his handicap debut. RED LEGEND has the form and experience to fight for victory, while RED KNOT should pose more of a threat over this distance after a comeback sprint. VAVA VEGAS, PERINI PALACE and JAPANESE MAPLE complete the shortlist.
Selections:
#4 Roman’s Revenge, #1 Red Legend, #3 Red Knot, #2 Japanese Maple
Vaal, 24.10.2024, Race 6, Gallops, 1700m, Turf, R110.000, 15:15GMT+2
Race Summary: CAPTAINOFTHEGREEN was a game start-to-finish winner of his Highveld and stable debut on his return from a lengthy absence and, having blown away the cobwebs a two-point penalty isn’t likely to prevent him from making another bold bid. EIGER SANCTION extended his winning sequence over 1800m on this track last week and he should go well again if taking his place in the line-up. Consistent DIESEL’S SHADOW is better off at the weights so could pose more of a threat. SHINTO SHRINE, lightly raced SACAMBAYA and last-start winner HAT TRICK OR TREAT have claims too.
Selections:
#3 Captainofthegreen, #5 Eiger Sanction, #6 Diesel’s Shadow, #8 Shinto Shrine
Vaal, 24.10.2024, Race 7, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R105.000, 15:50GMT+2
Race Summary: GORGEOUS KLEIN confirmed the promise of his juvenile campaign by winning a stronger 1200m race on his 3yo reappearance and a resultant 6-point penalty shouldn’t halt his momentum. However, he concedes 3.5kg to course-and-distance debut winner COUNT INVICTO whose progress it could pay to follow with that experience to count on. Hard-knockers OPEN HIGHWAY, AMPERSAND, SECRET CHORD, SUPER AWESOME and PRINCE OF KILDARE have the form and experience at this level of the handicap to keep their younger rivals honest. KING OF NUMBERS and versatile KOTINOS aren’t incapable of earning a cheque either.
Selections:
#7 Count Invicto, #2 Gorgeous Klein, #4 Ampersand, #1 Open Highway
Vaal, 24.10.2024, Race 8, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R135.000, 16:25GMT+2
Race Summary: Maturing CHASING HAPPINESS has gone from strength to strength this season, winning both outings over 1200m on Turffontein’s Inside track. She carries a hefty 8-point penalty for her latest victory but is the best-weighted runner in the line-up, so the hat-trick is achievable. BOB’S YOUR UNCLE and ROCK OF BISMANTOVA are course-and-distance suited and weighted to pose a threat. RICHARD THE FIRST and returning WYZEACT will appreciate reverting to this shorter trip – both have the ability to make their presence felt. Unexposed KARATE KID faces his acid test but is progressive so has to be respected.
Selections:
#1 Chasing Happiness, #12 Bob’s Your Uncle, #11 Karate Kid, #13 Rock Of Bismantova
Best Win: #1 MIA MOO
Best Value Bet: #7 COUNT INVICTO
Best Longshot: #7 COUNT INVICTO
