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RACE BY RACE PREVIEWS: VAAL@2025.06.19
Vaal, 19.06.2025, Race 1, Gallops, 1600m, Turf, R75.000, 11:40GMT+2
Race Summary: PHIL THE FLUTER has been costly to follow but is unlikely to find a better opportunity to open his account. MYSTIC VISION, SOVEREIGN CROWN, GIFT OF ROYAL and NEW LIFE are better than their recent form and they remain capable of taking home cheque. However, a bigger threat will likely come from consistent filly BLUE QUARTZ who shouldn’t be a maiden for much longer. BATTLE OFTHE BULGE can make his presence felt if building on a career-best effort last time out.
Selections: #1 Phil The Fluter, #5 Blue Quartz, #6 Battle Ofthe Bulge, #2 Mystic Vision
Vaal, 19.06.2025, Race 2, Gallops, 2400m, Turf, R85.000, 12:15GMT+2
Race Summary: FLAG BEARER and RAINY SEASON race well from handy positions and are in good form over this distance. NUCLEAR FORCE won a similar contest over this trip last time but is worse off at the weights with RAINY SEASON. Hat-trick seeking CARTAGENA stretches out to 2400m for the first time but there’s no reason why she shouldn’t remain competitive for the leading places over this extended trip. IDEAL FUTURE has stamina concerns and will benefit from the refitting of blinkers.
Selections: #6 Rainy Season, #3 Nuclear Force, #5 Cartagena, #2 Flag Bearer
Vaal, 19.06.2025, Race 3, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R80.000, 12:50GMT+2
Race Summary: EMPRESS WU wouldn’t be winning out of turn after finishing second in consecutive recent starts but she may have to play second fiddle again to improving 2yo HOTARU who also filled the runner-up berth last time and has scope for further progress. Fellow 2yo filly CHERICHERILADY, recent gelded juvenile SECRET WARRIOR and older 4yo rival MISS STAKES, who should appreciate this shorter trip, are also capable of having a say in the outcome.
Selections: #1 Hotaru, #2 Empress Wu, #6 Chericherilady, #4 Secret Warrior
Vaal, 19.06.2025, Race 4, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R80.000, 13:25GMT+2
Race Summary: Many with chances in an open sprint handicap, though none appeal more than CAPTAIN EFFICIENT who deserves to get his head in front again after back-to-back recent seconds over 1160m. ALONE TIME fits a similar profile and is also course and distance suited. Last-start maiden winners GIMME A STORM and LIKE A PRAYER are respected on handicap debut, while fellow recent scorer NAZARE remains competitive under a resultant penalty. Hard knockers PRIZED PLATINUM, MARIACHI MADNESS, PHALA MILLIONS, PACIFIC and ORIENTAL BOUQUET have earning potential. Veteran JET CAT can never be discounted.
Selections: #5 Captain Efficient, #6 Alone Time, #11 Phala Millions, #14 Oriental Bouquet
Vaal, 19.06.2025, Race 5, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R90.000, 14:00GMT+2
Race Summary: Well-bred debut winner DEZIRE who is open to any amount of improvement with that experience. Class-droppers WHIRLYBIRD and GREAT NOTION have the form and experience to challenge the selection, as do versatile hard-knockers ALABAMA ANNA and RATTLE BAG. Both VALIEVA and FAITHFUL NEO should make their presence felt if repeating improved recent performances. TANA MAREE and THERE SHE GOES aren’t underestimated over a distance that suits.
Selections: #7 Dezire, #2 Great Notion, #12 Tana Maree, #1 Whirlybird
Vaal, 19.06.2025, Race 6, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R115.000, 14:35GMT+2
Race Summary: VIBE SA is good value to emerge victorious off a reduced mark in his peak outing after an encouraging KZN appearance. Consistent IT’S PERSONAL is lightly raced and open to improvement with the form to be competitive, as do KING OF NUMBERS and PAUL REVERE who are closely matched on recent form. LONGSWORD, PRINCE OF KILDARE, DYLAN’S CHAMP and LONELY AS A CLOUD are others with legitimate Eachway credentials.
Selections: #5 Vibe Sa, #9 It’s Personal, #8 King Of Numbers, #10 Paul Revere
Vaal, 19.06.2025, Race 7, Gallops, 1800m, Turf, R80.000, 15:10GMT+2
Race Summary: MOLOTOV COCKTAIL confirmed the promise of his 1400m debut by winning over 1600m and further improvement is expected over this extended trip. CHABAL, FUTUREWOLFF, STORM AHEAD and GAMER all have greater experience and the form to trouble the unexposed selection.
Selections: #1 Molotov Cocktail, #3 Futurewolff, #2 Chabal, #8 Gamer
Vaal, 19.06.2025, Race 8, Gallops, 1800m, Turf, R90.000, 15:45GMT+2
Race Summary: FREE IN SEATTLE was rewarded for her consistency with a last-start success at this level over slightly further and a resultant 4-point penalty isn’t likely to prevent her from making another bold bid for victory. ONE RELIGION and ELEMBEE have a bit to find on that form but are weighted to pose more of a threat. WAGRAM acquitted herself well in both handicap appearances and ought to remain competitive. Recent scorers TEO TORRIATTE, unexposed REFLECTIVE and returning DAMOVA also have the ability to stake a claim. SECRET RECIPE and INSTANT ATTRACTION complete the shortlist.
Selections: #1 Free In Seattle, #5 Wagram, #7 Reflective, #8 Secret Recipe
Vaal, 19.06.2025, Race 9, Gallops, 1500m, Turf, R85.000, 16:20GMT+2
Race Summary: A full field of 20 in the Lucky Last where WALLED GARDEN should represent generous Eachway value. He didn’t go unnoticed on his belated reappearance after 12 months on the sidelines and, with the benefit of that encouraging comeback run, it could pay to take a chance on the lightly raced 5yo making sufficient improvement. Unexposed youngster SUNSET WARRIOR is also open to any amount of improvement so has to be respected. CALIDA, LIBECCIO, SOVEREIGNS CALL and PERINI PALACE could get into the picture if building on improved recent performances, but it doesn’t end there.
Selections: #15 Walled Garden, #17 Sunset Warrior, #9 Calida, #13 Libeccio
Best Win: #1 PHIL THE FLUTER
Best Value Bet: #15 WALLED GARDEN
Best Longshot: #15 WALLED GARDEN
