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RACE BY RACE PREVIEWS: VAAL CLASSIC@2025.05.22
Vaal Classic, 22.05.2025, Race 1, Gallops, 1500m, Turf, R100.000, 11:25GMT+2
Race Summary: Debut winner MISS NOVAX is open to any amount of improvement with that experience under her belt and, on pedigree, this extended trip should suit. LITTLEMISSSPLENDID and SISTER GOLDEN HAIR have the form and experience to be competitive, as do maidens OPERA FAN and WAITING ON CHARLIE. Watch the betting on newcomer DAISY JONES.
Selections: #2 Miss Novax, #3 Sister Golden Hair, #1 Littlemisssplendid, #8 Waiting On Charlie
Vaal Classic, 22.05.2025, Race 2, Gallops, 1500m, Turf, R100.000, 12:00GMT+2
Race Summary: MIGHTY EAGLE and TENJIKU were impressive last-start winners over slightly shorter. Both are improving and likely to play leading roles. RED AMBER was also a winner last time out and, on the evidence of her fast finishing 1200m victory, should have more to offer over this extended trip. REDLIGHTGREENLIGHT, ROYALE JACKET and well-bred newcomer SINGLETON SAM complete the shortlist.
Selections: #2 Tenjiku, #1 Mighty Eagle, #6 Singleton Sam, #3 Red Amber
Vaal Classic, 22.05.2025, Race 3, Gallops, 1800m, Turf, R90.000, 12:35GMT+2
Race Summary: ARTIC SILVER was first passed the post last time but disqualified after her rider weighed in under weight. She has obvious winning credentials on the strength and consistency of her earlier form, though the same could be said of NKWENKWEZI (blinkers removed) who wouldn’t be winning out of turn. WORLD TOUR is closely matched with those rivals on recent form so should be a factor. LUNAR RAINBOW and BELLA BOOP BOOP have earning potential.
Selections: #2 Nkwenkwezi, #1 Artic Silver, #4 World Tour, #3 Lunar Rainbow
Vaal Classic, 22.05.2025, Race 4, Gallops, 1800m, Turf, R90.000, 13:10GMT+2
Race Summary: Last-start runners-up PIONEER SQUARE and PHIL THE FLUTER are obvious candidates for success and will likely fight out the finish, though preference is for the former who finished close-up last time in his first appearance after a rest and gelding. HEROIC ACT has rediscovered form after a layoff and is another with legitimate earning potential. FUTURE KING, NEW LIFE and THAT’S MAGICAL are unexposed and could improve to have a say.
Selections: #1 Pioneer Square, #2 Phil The Fluter, #4 Heroic Act, #6 Future King
Vaal Classic, 22.05.2025, Race 5, Gallops, 2400m, Turf, R80.000, 13:45GMT+2
Race Summary: The majority of these runners are engaged to run earlier so their participation will need to be monitored. BLURRED VISION, STOP THE TRAFFIC, THE MERCIFUL, SILVER FLARE and RAINY SEASON all have the ability to fight for victory if taking their place in the lineup. Hard-knocker NUCLEAR FORCE is another with legitimate Eachway credentials.
Selections: #10 Rainy Season, #3 Blurred Vision, #9 Silver Flare, #4 Nuclear Force
Vaal Classic, 22.05.2025, Race 6, Gallops, 1600m, Turf, R75.000, 14:20GMT+2
Race Summary: AFTER HOURS, SNEAK PREVIEW and rejuvenated SAIL THE SKY ran well last week and will likely feature prominently if repeating those performances. UNSOLVED RIDDLE caught the eye on his local debut and needn’t improve much to also play a leading role. SILENT TRIGGER, PERINI PALACE and VIVA DE JANEIRO can also make their presence felt.
Selections: #2 Unsolved Riddle, #4 Sail The Sky, #1 After Hours, #5 Sneak Preview
Vaal Classic, 22.05.2025, Race 7, Gallops, 1600m, Turf, R80.000, 14:55GMT+2
Race Summary: ACCEPT COOKIES is awkwardly drawn but gets the nod judged on the strength and consistency of her form. Class-dropper TRIED AND TRUE, consistent PRETTY ANALIA and hard-knocker QUANTUM should also be competitive. LAPIS LAZULI, ON A JET PLANE and LAST GINGER aren’t taken lightly.
Selections: #1 Accept Cookies, #5 Pretty Analia, #6 Quantum, #2 Tried And True
Vaal Classic, 22.05.2025, Race 8, Gallops, 1000m, Turf, R110.000, 15:30GMT+2
Race Summary: MASTER CASPER is 3kg better off with last-start conqueror WARM WINTER NITE so there shouldn’t be much between the pair on these terms. However, the latter finished behind stablemate PASSAGE OF POWER last time and isn’t likely to turn the tables on similar weight terms. RICHARD THE FIRST didn’t go unnoticed on his return from a break and should build on that comeback. JOHNNY APPLESEED and CHIEFTAIN are others with money chances.
Selections: #4 Passage Of Power, #6 Warm Winter Nite, #3 Master Casper, #7 Richard The First
Vaal Classic, 22.05.2025, Race 9, Gallops, 1000m, Turf, R85.000, 16:10GMT+2
Race Summary: Promising 3yo geldings IT’S PERSONAL and HEMISPHERE are distance-suited and open to improvement so should be competitive. Fellow sophomore TIGER STORM fits a similar profile and boasts the form and experience to play a leading role. PRINCE OF KILDARE, PHANTOM EXPRESS, NKANDLA GOLD and KINSHIN SHA are hard-knockers at this level so shouldn’t be underestimated.
Selections: #3 It’s Personal, #5 Tiger Storm, #6 Hemisphere, #10 Phantom Express
Vaal Classic, 22.05.2025, Race 10, Gallops, 1000m, Turf, R75.000, 16:45GMT+2
Race Summary: Youngster ONE TIGER improved with the benefit of an introductory outing to win last time and further progress is expected of the unexposed 2yo colt with first-time blinkers fitted. Hard-knockers INAFIX, PHALA MILLIONS, SAMOA and DANCING DORA all have the form and experience at this level of the handicap to trouble the selection. TWICE AS WILD appeal most of the remainder.
Selections: #3 One Tiger, #4 Inafix, #5 Phala Millions, #6 Samoa
Best Win: #3 ONE TIGER
Best Value Bet: #10 RAINY SEASON
Best Longshot: #10 RAINY SEASON
