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RACE BY RACE PREVIEWS: VAAL@2025.07.03
Vaal, 03.07.2025, Race 1, Gallops, 1400m, Turf, R75.000, 12:30GMT+2
Race Summary: PARIS FUN caught the eye over this trip last time when staying on from a handy position to finish 3rd on her reappearance after a 3-month break. She would’ve tightened up with the benefit of that outing and won’t need to improve much to break her duck. CYBER SPIRIT and BELLA BOOP BOOP have the form and experience to take home a cheque. PASS THE BATON also has earning potential.
Selections: #2 Paris Fun, #3 Bella Boop Boop, #1 Cyber Spirit, #5 Madame Pompadour
Vaal, 03.07.2025, Race 2, Gallops, 2400m, Turf, R80.000, 13:05GMT+2
Race Summary: SANTIAGO’S PRIDE had legitimate excuses for a disappointing last run when supported in the market, so he shouldn’t be written off in his peak outing, especially over this trip and with alumites refitted. Improving FOLLOW THE MASTER finished a game-in-defeat 2nd that day over 2000m. He should have more to offer over this extended distance and will prove hard to peg back if adopting similar tactics. HEROIC ACT and ALAKANANI are weighted to pose more of a threat on these terms so they cannot be taken lightly.
Selections: #1 Follow The Master, #3 Heroic Act, #2 Santiago’s Pride, #6 Alakanani
Vaal, 03.07.2025, Race 3, Gallops, 1400m, Turf, R80.000, 13:40GMT+2
Race Summary: Youngsters ROYALE JACKET and TOMMY SHELBY are improving and both have shown enough to play leading roles. Fellow 2yo SECRET WARRIOR was backed last time on his reappearance as a gelding, so he’s another lively contender in first-time blinkers. Older rivals MISS TAKES and TRIP TO STATES have the form and experience to trouble the 2yo brigade.
Selections: #3 Royale Jacket, #6 Tommy Shelby, #4 Miss Takes, #7 Secret Warrior
Vaal, 03.07.2025, Race 4, Gallops, 1800m, Turf, R80.000, 14:15GMT+2
Race Summary: CURTISS CONDOR and ETHICAL will be winning sooner rather than later and both should improve for the step up to this distance. However, even under top-weight the progressive former is preferred judged on the strength of his recent form. FLIGHTLIGHT, GIFT OF ROYAL and WORLD ORDER are also likely to have a say in the outcome if confirming the improvement of their latest appearances.
Selections: #1 Curtiss Condor, #4 Ethical, #2 Flightlight, #6 World Order
Vaal, 03.07.2025, Race 5, Gallops, 2400m, Turf, R115.000, 14:50GMT+2
Race Summary: DOUGLAS DRAGON deserves to be rewarded for his consistency. He won his only course-and-distance appearance and has held form at this level since. However, he races off a career-high mark and has to concede 3kg to veteran BANHA BRIDGE whose last start over 2000m gave the impression that 2400m will be more to his liking. ROMEO’S MAGIC, ORDER OF HOPE and ONE RELIGION are effective over this trip and should acquit themselves competitively. TEO TORRIATTE and CHABAL could also have a say.
Selections: #2 Banha Bridge, #1 Douglas Dragon, #4 Order Of Hope, #3 Romeo’s Magic
Vaal, 03.07.2025, Race 6, Gallops, 1000m, Turf, R85.000, 15:25GMT+2
Race Summary: British-import DEAL MAKER is an unknown quantity on her South African debut, though the booking of in-form top jockey Gavin Lerena suggests a forward showing may be expected. GLOBAL THUNDER, TWENTYTWENTYVISION and ORIENTAL BOUQUET are seriously respected after encouraging recent performances. TOGETHER AGAIN and MICKE’S BOMB also have earning potential.
Selections: #8 Deal Maker, #10 Oriental Bouquet, #3 Twentytwentyvision, #6 Micke’s Bomb
Vaal, 03.07.2025, Race 7, Gallops, 1600m, Turf, R95.000, 16:00GMT+2
Race Summary: BEYNAC lost little in defeat when finishing 3rd from a wide draw at a higher level last time following a 4-month break. He would’ve tightened up since and is open to improvement, especially at this level over the shorter trip. LAST CAR TO PASS fits a similar profile after back-to-back seconds, the latest in stronger company over track and trip. She wouldn’t be winning out of turn and will likely play another leading role. Improving last-start maiden winner ENFLAME and class-dropper ICHACHA, who made his post-maiden debut in a feature, have room to improve so aren’t underestimated.
Selections: #2 Beynac, #3 Last Car To Pass, #5 Enflame, #8 Guerilla Warfare
Vaal, 03.07.2025, Race 8, Gallops, 1400m, Turf, R80.000, 16:35GMT+2
Race Summary: Unexposed PALACE PRINCE confirmed the promise of his eye-catching debut by winning last time and this looks a good opportunity for him to follow up on his handicap debut, with further improvement expected over this extended trip. Older hard-knockers SAIL THE SKY, AFTER HOURS, SNEAK PREVIEW and ROYAL HORIZON have the ability to trouble the 2yo selection but are exposed thus vulnerable to the youngster’s progress. PEARL IN HER CROWN and SHEETS AND GOGGLES could get into the picture.
Selections: #5 Palace Prince, #9 Royal Horizon, #3 Pearl In Her Crown, #4 After Hours
Best Win: #5 PALACE PRINCE
Best Value Bet: #2 BANHA BRIDGE
Best Longshot: #2 BANHA BRIDGE
