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RACE BY RACE PREVIEWS: VAAL CLASSIC@2025.01.30
Vaal Classic, 30.01.2025, Race 1, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R105.000, 12:25GMT+2
Race Summary: This won’t take much winning. HIGHVELD STORM, LIKE A PRAYER and OKLAHOMA TWISTER could fight out the finish if repeating recent performances. MIZZEN SWORD will appreciate reverting to this shorter trip and should be more competitive. JINGER JAM doesn’t need to be special to play a leading role on debut.
Selections: #4 Highveld Storm, #8 Like A Prayer, #1 Mizzen Sword, #3 Oklahoma Twister
Vaal Classic, 30.01.2025, Race 2, Gallops, 2000m, Turf, R105.000, 13:00GMT+2
Race Summary: Just 3 runners with a genuine winning chance. LUNAR RAINBOW and INSTANT ATTRACTION filled the runners-up berth in their last 2000m appearances and both have the form and experience to fight out the finish. However, in a recent 1800m meeting on this course, the latter finished behind re-opposing SHES EVERYTHING who will confirm her superiority with any improvement over the extra 200m.
Selections: #3 Shes Everything, #4 Instant Attraction, #5 Lunar Rainbow, #1 Spirit In The Wind
Vaal Classic, 30.01.2025, Race 3, Gallops, 1500m, Turf, R120.000, 13:35GMT+2
Race Summary: SPY STORY finished a close-up 4th behind a well-bred newcomer Immediate Edge 7 days ago and he should be competitive if this doesn’t come too soon. PAGE BOY didn’t go unnoticed on his reappearance as a gelding after a lengthy layoff and he should have more to offer over this extended trip. CHARIOT OF FIRE and HONG KONG LUCKY aren’t taken lightly returning from respective layoffs. THE ULTIMATE KING fits a similar profile so shouldn’t be underestimated.
Selections: #2 Spy Story, #7 Page Boy, #3 Chariot Of Fire, #5 Hong Kong Lucky
Vaal Classic, 30.01.2025, Race 4, Gallops, 1500m, Turf, R105.000, 14:10GMT+2
Race Summary: FLIGHTLIGHT made eye-catching late headway last time on this course over 1450m and this extended trip should unlock further improvement, so it could pay to follow her progress. AURORA GREEN fits a similar profile and will know more about it after a pleasing sprint debut. Well-bred MATTIAZO makes a belated introduction as a 4yo but the booking of jockey Gavin Lerena is encouraging. GHOSTBUSTER, INTRO and GIMME A GREEN CARD appeal most of the remainder.
Selections: #8 Flightlight, #7 Aurora Green, #2 Mattiazo, #1 Ghostbuster
Vaal Classic, 30.01.2025, Race 5, Gallops, 1800m, Turf, R135.000, 14:45GMT+2
Race Summary: MOUNT ETNA won back-to-back handicaps in this grade before acquitting herself well in defeat at a higher level. She should be more competitive in these calmer waters but is worse off at the weights with several familiar foes, including last-start winners RANI OF KITTUR and DIMAKO’S JET. However, a chance is taken on consistent KADIZORA who wouldn’t be winning out of turn and benefits from her rider’s 2,5kg apprentice allowance.
Selections: #7 Kadizora, #2 Rani Of Kittur, #5 Dimako’s Jet, #3 Elembee
Vaal Classic, 30.01.2025, Race 6, Gallops, 1800m, Turf, R105.000, 15:20GMT+2
Race Summary: The step up to 1800m and fitting of blinkers to ANCIENT WISDOM saw her run out a wide-margin maiden winner by 10 lengths. She’s open to further improvement on her reappearance so looks good value to make a winning handicap debut. Fellow last-start winner (on this course) SENSORIA ought to remain competitive under a penalty, though a bigger threat could be posed by FREE IN SEATTLE who deserves a reward for her consistency. CARTAGENA and GLORIA MUNDI complete the shortlist.
Selections: #1 Ancient Wisdom, #5 Free In Seattle, #4 Sensoria, #10 Cartagena
Vaal Classic, 30.01.2025, Race 7, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R150.000, 15:53GMT+2
Race Summary: ROLLWITHTHEPUNCHES capitalised on a drop in the ratings by winning a similar course-and-distance event recently and a 2-point penalty isn’t likely to prevent another forward showing. Runner-up CIAN THE CONQUEROR is 1kg better off so should be in the thick of it. Maturing 3yo CHIEFTAIN is untried over this trip but has shown enough to be competitive from an inside gate. Sparingly raced EDWARD RYE drops in class and could repay his followers, having been heavily supported at a higher level last time. SUTHERLAND and Highveld newcomer NIGHT BOMBER are drawn wide but will make their presence felt.
Selections: #8 Edward Rye, #12 Sutherland, #3 Chieftain, #9 Night Bomber
Vaal Classic, 30.01.2025, Race 8, Gallops, 1000m, Turf, R100.000, 16:28GMT+2
Race Summary: Hard-knockers SMITH AND WESSON and VAR PARK are closely matched on the form of a recent 1000m Turffontein meeting. Both have the form and experience to have a say in the outcome. Veteran mare IN THE ETHER fits a similar profile but her slow-starting habit is proving costly. LONELY AS A CLOUD and PACIFIC finished on the heels of that rival last time so they shouldn’t be far off the mark. Improving last-start winner TIGER STORM and stablemate CAPTAIN EFFICIENT have genuine winning chances too, though preference is for the latter whose consistency may be rewarded given relief from the handicapper.
Selections: #6 Captain Efficient, #7 In The Ether, #2 Var Park, #9 Pacific
Best Win: #3 SHES EVERYTHING
Best Value Bet: #7 KADIZORA
Best Longshot: #7 KADIZORA
