Download your South Africa racing information for FREE now:
RACE BY RACE PREVIEWS: VAAL@2025.05.29
Vaal, 29.05.2025, Race 1, Gallops, 1700m, Turf, R90.000, 11:55GMT+2
Race Summary: This won’t take much winning, so BRIGHAM needn’t improve much on recent form and consistency to break his duck. ROYAL MIRACLE, ALAKANANI, ART NOUVEAU and BLUE QUARTZ also have the form and experience to play leading roles. FOLLOW THE MASTER has more scope for improvement than most so could get into the picture.
Selections: #1 Brigham, #4 Alakanani, #7 Art Nouveau, #8 Blue Quartz
Vaal, 29.05.2025, Race 2, Gallops, 1000m, Turf, R100.000, 12:30GMT+2
Race Summary: Promising SYLVAN WARRIOR gave weight and a beating to older rivals on his handicap debut last time and, even under top weight, could prove hard to beat back in 2yo company. Last-start winner NYAKA NYAKA is improving and likely to acquit himself competitively, but CONSTELLATION is 3kg better off with that rival so could give the selection most to fear. Recent runners-up SIMBINE and ANCHORAGE should make their presence felt too with any improvement. Watch the betting on the newcomers.
Selections: #1 Sylvan Warrior, #3 Constellation, #2 Nyaka Nyaka, #8 Anchorage
Vaal, 29.05.2025, Race 3, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R90.000, 13:05GMT+2
Race Summary: JAPANESE GARDEN built on an encouraging debut to finish second over 1450m last time and showed enough pace that day to suggest that this shorter trip could be more to her liking. Older rivals SAUDI SWEEP, DESERT CLOUD, EMPRESS WU and LILAC SNOW have the form and greater experience to expose any chinks in the selection’s armour. Watch the betting on well-bred debutantes DEZIRE, AL GREENGA and SASSY LASSIE.
Selections: #18 Japanese Garden, #1 Desert Cloud, #13 Al Greenga, #10 Dezire
Vaal, 29.05.2025, Race 4, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R90.000, 13:40GMT+2
Race Summary: Last-start runners-up MIZZEN SWORD, JOHNNY DRAMA and TRIP TO STATES need only produce similar performances to be in the shake-up once more. However, younger rivals WALL STREET and TIME WILL TELL have more scope for improvement so could have their measure. PRAETORIAN and OKLAHOMA SMOKESHOW would’ve benefitted from their introductory outings and shouldn’t be underestimated on their reappearances. Watch the betting on the first-timers.
Selections: #15 Time Will Tell, #1 Mizzen Sword, #17 Wall Street, #10 Oklahoma Smokeshow
Vaal, 29.05.2025, Race 5, Gallops, 2000m, Turf, R82.500, 14:15GMT+2
Race Summary: THE ULTIMATE KING is progressive and unbeaten as a gelding. He won a similar race on his handicap debut and a 5-point penalty is unlikely to halt his momentum. COPPOLA and FUTUREWOLFF are 2kg better off with their last-start conqueror so should pose more of a threat. Hard-knockers BANHA BRIDGE, IDEAL FUTURE and ROSY LEMON are proven at this level and likely to be in the shake-up too. It could, however, pay to follow the progress of class-dropper ALADDIN’S LAMP who caught the eye on his Highveld debut and would’ve benefitted from that comeback outing.
Selections: #2 Aladdin’s Lamp, #3 Banha Bridge, #1 The Ultimate King, #9 Coppola
Vaal, 29.05.2025, Race 6, Gallops, 1800m, Turf, R75.000, 14:50GMT+2
Race Summary: STORM AHEAD wouldn’t be winning out of turn after consecutive seconds but a chance is taken on INSTANT ATTRACTION whose runner-up finish on handicap debut was at a higher level. The latter races off an unchanged mark and will benefit from her rider’s 1.5kg allowance. Veterans CARNELO and CALL ME MASTER continue to hold their own in this grade and will likely acquit themselves competitively. Recent runner-up VIVA DE JANEIRO and last-start scorer CARTAGENA complete the shortlist.
Selections: #3 Instant Attraction, #2 Storm Ahead, #9 Viva De Janeiro, #4 Carnelo
Vaal, 29.05.2025, Race 7, Gallops, 1600m, Turf, R100.000, 15:25GMT+2
Race Summary: AVOONTOAST had legitimate excuses for a disappointing last start and could make amends. BLIND AMBITION has thrived since relocating to the Highveld and this step up in class is unlikely to prevent another bold showing. However, a slight ease in the ratings and return to this distance will suit CAPE LIGHTS who could represent the value in a tricky handicap. CEUTA, LAST CAR TO PASS, IT’S HER WAY and I AM REGAL are others capable of playing a role.
Selections: #3 Cape Lights, #8 Avoontoast, #6 Blind Ambition, #12 Last Car To Pass
Vaal, 29.05.2025, Race 8, Gallops, 1400m, Turf, R80.000, 16:05GMT+2
Race Summary: KING OF NUMBERS and PAUL REVERE are closely matched on the form of a recent meeting over this trip and there shouldn’t be much separating them on these terms. Last-start winners DYLAN’S CHAMP, VITELLIUS and SEA SHANTY are also genuine candidates for honours. NEW MEXICO didn’t go unnoticed last time when returning from a break and should improve to make his presence felt too.
Selections: #2 King Of Numbers, #3 Paul Revere, #4 Dylan’s Champ, #8 New Mexico
Vaal, 29.05.2025, Race 9, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R80.000, 16:37GMT+2
Race Summary: ALONE TIME ran well above his rating last time when third at level weights to a 108-rated 3yo rival and a repeat of that performance in this weaker company should suffice. VEGAS HI RISE, GLOBAL THUNDER, MICKE’S BOMB and GOLDEN ASPEN will be competitive for the places if also reproducing their recent performances. ENSUING, HAMMIES HERO and LADY OF MEMPHIS have earning potential too.
Selections: #15 Alone Time, #2 Vegas Hi Rise, #13 Micke’s Bomb, #4 Global Thunder
Best Win: #15 ALONE TIME
Best Value Bet: #3 CAPE LIGHTS
Best Longshot: #3 CAPE LIGHTS
